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C' <i,' 



THE NAREATIVE 



OF A 



BLOCIADE-HUNNER 



BY 

J. WILKINSON, 

CAPTAIN IN THE LATE CONFEDERATE STATES NAVY. 



NEW YORK: 
SHELDON & COMPANY, 

8 MURRAY STREET. 

1S77. 






Copyright, 
SHELDON & COMPANY. 

isrr. 



/2Y 



PREFACE. 



T N deference to the judgment of two or three 
-^ literary friends, I have entitled this, my first 
attempt at authorship, " The Narrative of a Block- 
ade-runner." They do not agree with Shakspeare 
that " a rose by any other name would smell as 
sweet," to the reading public; nor that it is 
always advisable to call a thing by its proper 
name. It will be seen, however, by any reader 
who has the patience to peruse the work, that it 
embraces a wider scope than its title would imply. 
I have endeavored to give a full account of the 
passage by the U. S. fleet of the forts below New 
Orleans; and to contribute some facts that will 
probably settle the controversy, in the judgment 
of the reader, as to the real captors of that city. 
" Honor to whom honor is due." 

It will be seen that I have been favored with 
access to Commodore Mitchell's official report of 
that conflict, a document never published. The 



6 PKEFACE. 

inforination derived from it, added to facts and 
circumstances coming under my personal obser- 
vation, furnishes the means of laying before the 
public an account of that action from a new point 
of view. 

In bearing testimony to the kind and humane 
treatment of the prisoners of war at Fort Warren, 
I perform a most grateful duty. It was my good 
fortune to be captured and held a prisoner, before 
the " retaliatory " measures were adopted by the 
United States Government. 

I have contributed some new, and, I hope, in- 
teresting facts about the manner in which block- 
ade running was conducted. 

I cannot do better than furnish the following 
extract from a literary friend's letter to me in ref- 
erence to this effort of mine. " I am particularly 
glad, believing as I do, that such a volume will 
help to the production of that state of mind, North 
and South, which every good man wishes to see 
grow. It is only necessary that we shall all fall 
into the habit of talking and writing about war 
matters without feeling ; that we shall forgot the 
bitterness of the conflict in our interest in its his- 
tory ; and if you or I can amuse Northern readers, 
or entertain them with our recollections, we shall 



PKEFACE. / 

certainly leave them in a pleasanter and better 
state of mind than we found them in." 

I should be happy to believe that I had con- 
tributed, in ever so small a degree, to this consum- 
mation so devoutly to be wished for. Bat I 
would make no sacrifice of principle nor of interest 
to achieve this end. 

While accepting the situation consequent upon 
the unsuccessful appeal to arms, the Southern 
people do not stultify themselves by professing 
to renounce their conviction of their right and 
duty in having responded to the call to defend 
their respective States from invasion. 

But they believe that the war was conducted 
by the Confederate Government in a spirit of hu- 
manity. Conceiving it to be the duty of every 
southern man to submit any testimony in his pos- 
session relating to this subject, and especially to 
the treatment of prisoners of war, I have quoted 
some passages from a " Yindication of the Con- 
federacy against the charge of Cruelty to Prison- 
ers." This work was recently published by the 
Southern Historical Society, and was compiled by 
the Eev. J. Wm. Jones, D.D., author of " Per- 
sonal Reminiscences of Gen. R. E. Lee." The 
candid and dispassionate student of Historj^, in 



8 PEEFACE. 

seeking after the truth, should read this work be- 
fore forming a judgment upon this point, which 
has, perhaps, caused more bitter resentments 
among the Northern people than all the other 
deplorable events of our civil strife combined. 

WooDSiDE, Amelia Co., Va., Oct. 15th, 1876. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

PAGE 

Secession of Virginia. — Service at Fort Powhatan. — Vol- 
unteers at th« Big Guns. — " Wide Awake " Clubs. 
— Want of preparation in Virginia. — Fort Powhatan 
abandoned. — Service at Acquia Creek. — The "Ti- 
gers." — Coal Mining on the Potomac 15 



CHAPTER n. 

Ordered to New Orleans. — The Naval Fleet there. — 
The "River Defence" Squadron. — The iron-clad 
" Louisiana." — Difficulty in managing the Fleet. — 
Going down the River. — Want of concert. — Admiral 
Farragut. — Our crew 29 



CHAPTER HI. 

The 24th April.— Passage of the United States Fleet.— 
After the Storm. — The " River Defence " boats. — 
The Refuge in the Bayou. — Surrender of the Forts. 
— Extracts from Commodore Mitchell's official Re- 
port. — Council of War. — Destruction of the " Lou- 
isiana." — Our Surrender. — General B. F. Butler. — 
Transferred to the United States Frigate " Col- 
orado." 44 



10 CONTENTS 

CHAPTER IV. 

FAGS 

Transferred to the " Rhode Island." — Meeting with an 
old Friend. — Arrival at Fort Warren. — Treatment 
there. — Correspondence, and its Result. — Pri-son 
Life. — Exchanged. — The Crew at quarters. — Burial 
of the " Unknown." 60 

CHAPTER V. 

A Brief Stay at Home. — Report to the War Department. 
— Instructions to go abroad. — The Blockade- runner 
"Kate." — Voyage to Nassau. — Yellow Fever. — The 
Undertaker. — Our Skipper " Captain Dick." — The 
Major sick. — A Story for the Marines. — Arrival at 
Cardenas. — The Coolies. — Arrival at Havana. — The 
American Consul and I. — The Pirate Marti. — The 
Spanish Steamer. — Pretty Harbors. — Captain Fry. 83 

CHAPTER VI. 

San Domingo. — The Island of Hayti and its Inhabitants. 
— St. Thomas. — General Santa Anna. — The Mail 
Steamer Atrato. — Arrival at Southampton. — Eng- 
lish Scenery. — The Major Fails. — The Giraffe pur- 
chased. — A Claim against the Confederate Govern- 
ment. — The Hon J. M. Mason. — Credit of the Con- 
federate Government abroad. — An Improper Agent. 
— Captain Bullock. — The Giraffe ready for Sea. — 
Glasgow. — Our Last Dinner. — Our Scotch Landlady 
and Head Waiter. — We part with the Major. — Hot 
Punch and Scotch Babies. — A Reminiscence 100 

CHAPTER VII. 

Voyage to Madeira. — A Capital Sea-boat. — The Island 
Ponies. — Mr. B. and his daughters. — Voyage to St. 



CONTENTS. 11 

PASE 

John's, Porto Rico. —Run across the Bahama Banks. 
Nassau during the War. — High Wages and Low 
Characters. — Crew re-shipped. — Failure to enter 
Charleston. — The " Lump." — A Narrow Escape. — 
The Scotch Lithographers and their work. — Cross- 
ing the Bar. — Transfer of the Giraffe to the Confed- 
erate Government. — She hecomos the " R. E. Lee." 
— The Major fulfills his promise, but fails in his 
object 117 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Dyer and the Sailing Captain. — First Voyage to Nas 
sau. — Major Ficklen and the Two Young Lieuten- 
ants. — Our Old Skipper "Captain Dick." — Bermu- 
da. — The Races there and elsewhere. — Description 
of Bermuda. — Moore, the Poet, and his Rival Mr. 
Tucker. — Tame Fish. — The Naval Station. — Col. 
B.'s Accident 136 



CHAPTER IX. 

We sail for Wilmington. — Thick Weather on the Coast. 
— Anchored among the Blockading Fleet. — The 
" Mound." — Running the Blockade by Moonlight. — 
A Device to mislead the Enemy. — The man Hester. 149 



CHAPTER X. 

The Confederate States Steamer " Florida." — Short 
Supply of Coal. — The " Florida's" Decks. — Tea and 
Costly China. — Narrow Escape from Capture. — 
Miss Lucy G. — Arrival at Bermuda. — Our unevent- 
ful Trip inward. — The Johnson's Island Expedition. 
— Another Narrow Escape. — " Pretty Shooting." — 
Arrival at Halifax, N.S 159 



\ 
\ 



12 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XI. 

PASS 

The Lee Captured at Last. — Sandy Keith alias Thom- 
assen. — Recruiting in the British Provinces for the 
United States Army. — Failure of the Expedition. — 
Return to Bermuda 173 

CHAPTER Xn. 

Take Command of the " Whisper." — High Rates of 
Freight. — Confederate Money and Sterling Ex- 
change. — An Investment in Cotton. — The Ill-fated 
Ironclad. — The Point Lookout Expedition and its 
Failure. — A Faithful Servant and a Narrow Escape. 
— Futile Projects. — Wilmington during the War. — 
Light Houses reestablished. — Gloomy Prospects of 
the South , 189 

CHAPTER XIII. 

Cruise of the Chickamauga. — Mr. Mallory's inefficiency. 
— Troubles in Bermuda. — The Three Wrecks. — End 
of the cruise 309 

CHAPTER XIV. 

Last Summons to Richmond. — Demoralization. — The 
Chameleon. — More trouble in Bermuda. — Another 
Narrow Escape. — Fall of Fort Fisher. — Maffit's Es- 
cape, and Captain S.'s Capture. — Another Hard 
Chase. — Failure to enter Charleston. — Return to 
Nassau 225 

CHAPTER XV. 

Sad News via New York. — Consternation among Specu- 
lators in Nassau. — Departure from Nassau via Ber- 
muda. — Arrival at Liverpool. — The End 244 



NARRATIVE 



BLOCKADE-RUNNER 



NAREATIVE 

OF A 

BLO CK ADE-RUNNER. 



CHAPTER I. 

Secession of Virginia. — Service at Fort Powhatan. — Volun- 
teers at the Big Guns. — " Wide Awake " Clubs. — Want 
of preparation in Virginia. — Fort Powhatan abandoned. 
— Service at Acquia Creek. — The "Tigers." — Coal Min- 
ing on the Potomac, 

"TTTHEN the State of Yirginia seceded from 
^^ the Union, on the 17th day of April, 1861, 
most of her citizens, belonging to the United 
States Navy, resigned their commissions, and 
offered their services to the State of their birth. 
Many of them had meddled so little with politics 
as never even to have casta vote; but having been 
educated in the belief that their allegiance was 
due to their State, they did not hesitate to act as 
honor and patriotism seemed to demand. They 
were compelled to choose whether they would aid 



16 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

in subjugating their State, or in defending it against 
invasion ; for it was already evident that coercion 
would be used by the General Government, and 
that war was inevitable. In reply to the accusa- 
tion of perjury in breaking their oath of allegi- 
ance, since brought against the officers of the 
Army and Navy who resigned their commissions 
to render aid to the South, it need only be stated 
that, in their belief, the resignation of their com- 
missions absolved them from any special obliga- 
tion. They then occupied the same position 
towards the Government as other classes of citi- 
zens. But this charge was never brought against 
them till the war was ended. The resignation of 
their commissions was accepted when their pur- 
pose was well known. As to the charge of in- 
gratitude, they reply, their respective States had 
contributed their full share towards the expenses 
of the General Government, acting as their dis- 
bursing agent ; and when these States withdrew 
from the Union, their citizens belonging to the 
two branches of the public service did not, and do 
not, consider themselves amenable to this charge 
for abandoning their official positions to cast their 
lot with their kindred and friends. But yielding 
as they did to necessity, it was nevertheless a 



SERVICE AT FORT POWHATAN. 17 

painful act to separate themselves from compan- 
ions with whom they had been long and inti- 
mately associated, and from the flag under which 
they had been proud to serve. 

During the brief interval which elapsed be- 
tween the act of secession and the admission of 
the State into the Confederacy, the Yirginia Army 
and I^avy were organized ; and all of the naval 
officers who had tendered their services received 
commissions in the Yirginia, and afterward in the 
Confederate Kavy ; but as there were very few 
vessels in commission, the greater portion of these 
officers were ordered to shore batteries. My first 
experience was at Fort Powhatan, an earthwork 
situated on James River a short distance below 
City Point, and carrying six or eight guns 
mounted on ships' carriages, which had been 
transported from the Norfolk Navy-yard. " Grim 
visaged war " had not shown his " wrinkled front " 
in those fair portions of the land ; and our time 
was chiefly spent in drilling the volunteers at the 
big guns, and visiting the hospitable families in 
the neighborhood ; but all of us were soon to be 
transferred to more active scenes. The young 
gentlemen-privates of the gallant volunteer com- 
pany, who so daintily handled the side and train- 



18 NAKRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-EUNNER. 

tackles of the 42-pounders in the battery, con- 
sidered themselves fortunate, not long afterwards, 
if they obtained full rations of lean beef, or " Nas- 
sau " pork, and " hard tack ; " and bore the brunt 
of many a severely contested battle as part of 
Stonewall Jackson's " foot cavahy." But at this 
period there were only a few so called croakers 
who at all realized the magnitude of the struggle 
about to ensue. The camps resounded with song 
and merriment ; and many of the young warriors 
were attended, like the knights-errant of old, by 
a faithful squire, who polished the boots, cleaned 
the mnsket, and performed other menial service 
for his " young master." My own " fidus 
Achates," was old " Uncle Billy," whose occupa- 
tion was gone by the stoppage of a tobacco factory 
in Richmond, where he had been used to take a 
prominent part in the peculiar songs of the " pro- 
fession." He would sometimes give us a specimen 
of his vocal powers, and would nearly bring the 
house down, literally and metaphorically, while 
executing the mysteries of a " Vii'ginny break- 
down" in thick soled brogans sixteen inches long. 
But to return from this digression, it was be- 
lieved by many persons that a large party at the 
North would oppose the prosecution of a war of 



WIDE AWAKE CLUBS. 19 

invasion. It will be remembered bj those at all 
conversant with the history of events at that- time, 
how strong had been the party opposed to seces- 
sion in the Convention then in session at Rich- 
mond, (at least two-thirds of its members having 
been elected as Union men,) and what strenuous 
efforts towards peace and compromise had been 
made by the Border States Commissioners. The 
call upon Virginia, by President Lincoln, for her 
quota of troops to aid in subjugating the South, 
had settled the question, however, in the Conven- 
tion ; and in a few hours after Governor Letcher's 
reply to that call, Virginia had virtually cast her 
lot with the Gulf States, although two weeks 
elapsed before she became a member of the Con- 
federacy. I had visited, some months previous to 
the secession of the State, many of the little viL 
lages in New England, where I saw that the pop- 
ulation were in terrible earnest. " Wide awake," 
and other secret societies were organized ; and in- 
flammatory harangues aroused the populace. The 
favorite theme of the orators was the " martyr- 
dom " of John Brown ; the piratical and murder- 
ous raid of that fanatic into the State of Virginia 
being exalted into a praiseworthy act of heroism. 
When I returned to Vii'ginia and contrasted the 



20 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNEE. 

apparent apathy and want of preparation there 
with the state of affairs at the North, I trembled 
for the result. But when the State severed her 
relations with the Union, the Governor acted with 
great vigor and ability, and the most was made 
of the limited resources at his command. Volun- 
teers responded with alacrity to the call to defend 
the State from invasion ; and none responded 
more readily, or served more bravely, than those 
who had opposed secession in the Convention. It 
seems invidious to cite particular examples ; but 
the " noblest Trojan of them all " will point a 
moral, and serve as an exemplar for generations 
to come. Wise in council, eloquent in debate, 
bravest and coolest among the brave in battle, and 
faithful to his convictions in adversity, he still 
lives to denounce falsehood and wrong. Truly 
the old hero, in all he says and does, " gives the 
world assurance of a man." — I allude to Gen. J. 
A. Early. 

When Fort Powhatan was abandoned, I was 
ordered to the command of a battery at Acquia 
Creek on the Potomac. Although situated upon 
the frontier, few incidents occurred there to vary 
the monotony of our lives. Occasionally some of 
the gunboats guarding the river would steam in. 



SEKVICE AT ACQUIA CREEK. 21 

and exchange a few shots with us ; and we witnessed 
frequent skirmishes between them and Walker's 
afterwards famous battery of flying artillery ; but 
ammunition being extremely scarce at that period 
in the Confederacy, the orders to us were per- 
emptory to be very sparing in the use of it.* 

* The belief still prevails, probably, at the North, that 
extensive preparations had been made by the South for the 
war. But General Joseph E. Johnston who was assigned to 
the service of organizing and instructing the Virginia volun- 
teers called out by Governor Letcher states the contrary. 
He asserts that all the arms to be depended upon at that time, 
were those found in the Southern arsenals, U. S. muskets, 
and rifles of discarded patterns to the number of about 
75,000 ; 40,000 flint muskets belonging to the State of Vir- 
ginia, and 20,000 procured for the State of Georgia by Gover- 
nor Brown. 

It was charged that Mr. Floyd of Virginia while Secre- 
tary of War under President Buchanan had caused the re- 
moval of public arms to the Southern arsenals ; but a Com- 
mittee of the House of Representatives, in 1861, exonerated 
Mr. Floyd from the charge, and the chairman of that Com- 
mittee was the Hon. Mr. Stanton, a prominent and zealoua 
member of the Republican party. 

General Johnston, who was in a position to know the 
facts, states in his " Narrative, etc.," that the " Confederate 
States began the war with one hundred and twenty thou- 
sand arms of obsolete models, and seven hundred of the re- 
cently adopted weapons rifled-muskets, and the United States 
with about four hundred and fifty thousand of the old, and 
all of the modern arms that had been made since the adop- 
tion of the new models." 

When in August, 1861, it was in contemplation to send 
the Army of Northern Virginia into Maryland, want of 



22 NAERATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNEK. 

The battery at Aequia Creek was constructed 
at the terminus of the raih'oad from Fredericks- 
burg, and was manned by an infantry company 
acting as artillerists. Besides this force, perma- 
nently stationed at the battery, and quartered near 
it, a company of infantry from military headquar- 
ters was sent every evening to guard against a 
night attack. A company called the " Tigers," 
took their turn at this service, and we would 
gladly have dispensed with their "protection,'' 
Utterly undisciplined, they were more dangerous 
to friends than to foes. Mutinous and insubordi- 
nate, they were engaged in constant collisions with 
each other and with the companies so unfortunate 
as to be quartered near them ; and their camp was 
a pandemonium. In addition to other sources of 
quarrel and contention, several women {vivan- 
dieres, they called themselves) followed the com- 
pany. The patience of Gen. M,* who com- 
manded the division, was finally exhausted. He 
Summoned the Captain of the "Tigers" into his 
presence ; and after severely reprimanding him 

ammunition, according to the distinguished authority just 
quoted, was one of the chief obstacles to the project. 

* The allusion is made to Genl. Mears, who commanded 
At Aequia Creek and to the Baltimore " Tigers," at the time 
commanded by Captain Thomas. 



THE TIGERS. 23 

for the misconduct of his men, insisted that the 
^^ vivandieres''^ should be sent away. Tlie cap- 
tain urged many reasons for keeping them ; the 
chief one being the good moral effect of their pres- 
ence ! but the General was inflexible. Even gal- 
lantry to the sex must be sacrificed to the truth ; 
and a proper regard for the latter demands the 
statement that a reformation commenced with 
the departure of the women ; and our friends the 
" Tigers '' eventually became well-behaved soldiers. 
We passed many months of inglorious inactiv- 
ity here until the spring of 1862, when the line 
of the Potomac was abandoned. While the Fed- 
eral forces had remained comparatively quiet in 
this part of the Confederacy, they had achieved 
many important successes elsewhere. Fort Don- 
elson, on the Cumberland River, and Roanoke 
Island in North Carolina had been captured, with 
large garrisons ; and New Orleans and Savannah 
were threatened. General Joseph E. Johnston, 
who at the time commanded the Army of North- 
ern Virginia, determined to fall back to the line 
of the Rappahannock ; and all the batteries on the 
Potomac were abandoned between the 8th and 
10th of March, 1862 ; the guns being removed to 
other quarters. 



24 NAEKATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-EUNNER. 

The monotonous service at the batteries had 
tried the patience of all who were attached to 
them ; and we rejoiced at the prospect of more 
active duty. The reverses sustained by the Con- 
federate arms were not to be disguised, nor were 
our convictions of great danger to the country to 
be removed by the politic proclamation issued by 
the Confederate Government, to the effect that a 
contraction of the lines could exercise no material 
influence upon the issue of the war. But as it 
was deemed necessary by the military authorities 
to abandon the situation, we were not at all sorry 
to depart ; for although we had seen no active 
service, insatiate war had claimed many victims, 
who had perished ingloriously by the malarial 
fevers of that marshy district. The naval officers 
were especially elated at the change. Their du- 
ties and their authority being alike undefined, 
there resulted a deplorable want of harmony be- 
tween them and the military. This was, indeed, 
the inevitable consequence of the anomalous posi- 
tion held by the former ; and this want of concert 
of action subsequently contributed, in some meas- 
ure at least, to the disastrous issue of the conflict 
below New Orleans. 

We having been trained in the strict discipline 



A REMINISCENCE. 25 

of a man of war, wanted "savoir faire" in dealing 
with the fastidious young captains, and the equally 
sensitive "high privates ;" while they no doubt 
looked upon us as a domineering, tyrannical set of 
exclusives and wished that we were on board the 
Federal gunboats in the river, or farther. My 
personal intercourse, however, was always very 
pleasant with them. Capt. Brown, commanding 
the company of North Carolinians at the battery, 
had graduated at the U. S. Naval School a year or 
two previous to the war, and was a strict disciplin- 
arian. Two years after our separation, I fell in 
with him accidentally ; and he then gave me a sad 
account of the changes wrought by death and 
disease in his fine company. He had risen to the 
rank of Colonel, and was then on his return to 
duty in the army of Northern Yirginia after re- 
covery from wounds received in battle. The 
graphic account given by him of the manner in 
which he was wounded and his narrow escape 
from death, may interest others as much as it did 
me. His regiment formed part of Gen. Ed. 
Johnson's division, which held the salient angle 
in Gen. Lee's line at Spottsylvania C. H. when 
it was forced by the Federal troops. The attack 
was made at early dawn and in the additional 



26 NARKATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-EUNNER. 

obscurity of n Scotch mist ; and so complete was 
the surprise according to B.'s account, that he was 
only made aware of the close proximity of the 
enemy by dimly discerning, a few paces distant, a 
Federal soldier with his musket levelled at him. 
The soldier fired, and B. fell insensible, shot 
through one of the lungs. Upon recovering con- 
sciousness, he found himself on a litter borne by 
Federal soldiers. An officer leaned over him, and 
offered him some liquor from his canteen, which 
revived him so far that he was able to speak. His 
humane captor then volunteered to transmit any 
message to B.'s friends and relatives. While B. 
was rallying his failing senses to deliver what he 
believed to be his dying messages to the loved 
ones at home, a rattling fire of musketry opened 
upon them, the litter bearers and the officer were 
shot down ; the latter fjilling across Brown, who 
relapsed into insensibility. When he again re- 
covered consciousness, he found himself borne in 
the same litter, now carried by Confederate sol- 
diers. The position had been retaken. His good 
friend had been shot dead. 

Our mess at Acquia Creek was abundantly sup- 
plied with food from land and water. Every mem- 
ber of it, no doubt, frequently longed afterwards 



COAL IN THE POTOMAC. 27 

for the " flesh pots of Egj])t." We discovered, by 
chance, a large bulk of coal, which had been stored 
on the long wharf where the Acquia Creek steam- 
boats used to make their landings. When the 
Point was shelled about the commencement of the 
war by the gunboats, the wharf was destroyed, the 
coal falling uninjured ten or twelve feet to the bot- 
tom of the river. We iished up our supplies with 
oyster tongs as they were needed, and our snug 
quarters were kept warm during the winter. To- 
wards the end of the season, one of the mess ser- 
vants lately arrived from the rural districts, was 
sent in the boat for a supply from the coal mine. 
He had made many a lire of soft coal in the draw- 
ing room at home ; but although an accomplished 
servant, his education had been so far neglected 
that he was ignorant of all the " 'ologies." He 
was very much astonished at our process of coal 
mining, atid asked me with great gravity, on his 
return with the load, " if coal grew like that all 
over the Potomac." Of course I replied in the 
affirmative. It was anthracite hard coal, a speci- 
men of which he had never seen ; so he was fur- 
ther informed that it was hard or soft according 
to the season when it was fished up, being soft in 
the summer and hard in the winter. He was 



28 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER 

much pleased to have acquired all this informa- 
tion, and probably took the earliest opportunity, 
on his return home, to enlighten his circle of 
friends and acquaintances upon the subject of coal 
mining on the Potomac. 



CHAPTER II. 

Ordered to New Orleans. — The Naval Fleet tliere. — The 
"River Defence" Squadron. — The ironclad "Louisi- 
ana." — Difficulty in managing the Fleet. — Going down 
the River. — Want of concert. — Admiral Farragut. — Our 
crew. 

T WAS ordered to report to Commodore Whit- 
-■- tie, commanding the naval station at New Or- 
leans, for duty afloat. A powerful fleet of ships 
of war and bomb vessels, under the command of 
Commodore (afterwards Admiral) Farragut, was 
then assembling at the mouth of the Mississippi, 
for an attack upon New Orleans, in which a large 
land force under Gen. Butler (afterwards called the 
Beast) was to cooperate. The citizens were under 
the impression that the place was impregnable. 
Gen. Duncan, commanding Forts Jackson and 
St. Philip, below the city, was considered one of 
the best artillerists in the service ; and the land 
defence was intrusted to Gen. Lovell, with a well 
appointed force under his command. The people 



80 NAEEATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER, 

of that gay city were occupied as usual in business 
and pleasure, and continued unconscious of their 
peril up to the very time when the Federal fleet 
passed the forts. But the condition of affairs, so 
far as naval defence was concerned, was lament- 
able. The regular C. S. naval fleet consisted of 
the Louisiana (Captain Mcintosh) and carrying 
the flag of Commodore Mitchell ; the steamer 
McRae (Captain Huger), carrying six light 32- 
pounders and nine-inch pivot gun ; the steamer 
Jackson (Captain Renshaw), with two pivoted 
smooth bore 32-pounders; the small ironplated 
" Ram " Manassas (Captain Warley), carrying one 
32-pounder carronade in the bow ; and two launch- 
es, each carrying a howitzer and a crew of twenty 
men. There were also present, at the time the 
passage was forced by the U. !S. fleet, two Louisiana 
State gunboats, viz., the " Governor Moore," Cap- 
tain Kennon, carrying two 32-pounder rifled guns, 
and the "General Quitman," with a similar bat- 
terj. These were converted sea steamers, with 
pine and cotton barricades to protect the more 
vulnerable part of their machinery. All of the 
above vessels, with the exception of the Louisiana 
and Manassas, were too slightly built for war 
purposes. The unarmed steamboats, " Mozier," 



THE STEAMER LOUISIANA. 31 

placed under Commodore Mitchell's command. In 
addition to the above force, there were six steam- 
ers carrying from one to two guns each, constitut- 
ing what was called the " River Defence Squad- 
ron," under the command of Captain Stevenson. 
These vessels' boilers and machinery were pro- 
tected by heavy timber barricades, filled in with 
compressed cotton ; and they were prepared 
with bar-iron casing around their bows to act as 
" Rams." 

The Louisiana was pierced for twelve guns 
rifled six-inch ; and eight-inch shell guns, three 
in the bow, three in each broadside, and three in 
the stern. Her armor consisted of railroad-iron 
bars securely bolted upon the sides and ends of the 
long covered box built upon her nearly submerged 
hull. These sides and ends sloped at an angle of 
about forty-five degrees ; around the upper deck 
was a stout bulwark about five feet high, and iron 
plated inside, to resist grape shot, and afford a 
protection to the sharp-shooters stationed there in 
action. 

The propelling power consisted of huge 
wheels, boxed up in the centre of the vessel ; and 
a propeller on eacli quarter. A more powerful 
and efficient iron-clad called the Mississippi had 



32 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-ElfNNER. 

jnst been launched from the stocks, but the pas- 
sage of the forts was effected before her battery 
could be put on board. 

After a few days' service on board the Jack- 
son, I was ordered on board the Louisiana (as ex- 
ecutive officer) then lying alongside the " levee '' 
at Kew Orleans. Her battery was not mounted ; 
and the mechanics were at work upon her un- 
finished armor and machinery. Much was to be 
done, and with the most limited facilities; but 
many obstacles had been surmounted and affairs 
were progressing favorably, when we received 
orders from Commodore Whittle to proceed down 
the river as far as the forts. Our wheels were in 
working order ; but a great deal was to be done 
to the propellers, and the crew were still engaged 
in mounting the guns. But Commodore Whittle, 
though cognizant of our condition, was compelled 
against his judgment, to yield to the urgent tele- 
grams of General Duncan to send the Louisiana 
down the river. We had been unable to man the 
ship with sailors ; for although many of this class 
belonged to the various volunteer companies 
around Xew Orleans, their commanding ofhcers 
were not disposed to part with them ; nor were 
the "jack tars " themselves willing to exchange 



AT THE FOKTS. 33 

camp life for the discipline and subordination of 
the naval service. Our regular crew being too 
small to man the battery, we gladly accepted the 
services of the " Crescent Artillery," a fine volun- 
teer company raised in New Orleans. Two 
river steamboats were assigned to the Louisiana 
for the purpose of towage, if necessary, and for 
the accommodation of the mechanics who were 
still at work on board. 

"We cast off from the "levee" on Sunday, 
April the 20th. It was a bright day, and a large 
concourse was assembled to witness our departure. 
Steam had been got up, and as our big wheels 
were set in motion in the rapid current of the 
Mississippi, torrents of water rushed through the 
crevices in the bulkheads and deluged the gun 
deck, while the Louisiana drifted helplessly down 
the river, feeling the effect of the wheels no more 
sensibly than if they were a pair of sculling oars. 
" Facilis descensus Averno ; sed revocare gradum, 
hoc opus, hie labor est." The aptness of the 
quotation will be appreciated by the reader who 
is in at the death of the Louisiana. We accom- 
plished our object of getting down to the forts 
about seventy miles below the city, thanks to the 
current and our two transports ; but our artiller- 



34 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

ists were in a shabby plight while trying to work 
the guns knee-deep in water. 

Securing the Louisiana by hawsers to the left 
bank of the river near Fort St. Philip, on the 
morning of the 21st, we continued our labors 
npon the machinery and on the battery. The 
bombardment of the forts had been in progress for 
several days and nights, and the shells from the 
fleet were thrown with beautiful and destructive 
precision (some of them occasionally falling in 
close proximity to the Louisiana,) while the bomb 
vessels themselves were beyond the range of the 
fort's guns. The naval officers were quite sure 
that an attempt would soon be made by Admiral 
Farragut to force the passage, and that so far as 
the naval strength was concerned, it w^as apparent 
our means were inadequate to prevent it. 

Commodore Mitchell, on our arrival below, 
had delivered to Captain Stevenson written orders 
from General Lovell requiring him to place all the 
" River Defence Squadron " under the Commo- 
dore's orders. Captain S., on receiving these in- 
structions, addressed a written communication to 
Commodore Mitchell, to the effect that all of the 
officers and crew under his command had entered 
the service with the distinct understandino- that 



BELOW NEW ORLEANS. 35 

thej were not to be placed under the command of 
naval officers ; and that, while willing to cooper- 
ate with our forces, he would receive no orders 
from the Commodore nor allow any vessel under 
his command to do so ; reserving to himself the 
right of obeying or disobeying any orders the 
Commodore miglit issue. With this assumption 
of absolute independence, Commodore Mitchell's 
position was extremely embarrassing, but he did 
all that was then in his power. Not knowing at 
what moment an attack would be made, he en- 
deavored to agree with Captain Stevenson upon a 
plan of cooperation ; and he states in his official 
report made after the action that Captain Steven- 
son "seemed disposed zealously to second these 
objects in many respects." 

A few days previous to the action, I had been 
sent down tlie river to communicate, under a flag 
of truce, with one of the ships of the squadron ; 
and in the course of conversation with my old 
friend Captain DeCamp, the officer in command 
of a division of the fleet had been informed b}' 
him that they could force the obstructions across 
the river whenever they pleased, and intended 
doing so when they were ready. The interview 
took place in his cabin ; and although I indig- 



36 NAEKATIVE OF A BLOCK AD E-EUNNER. 

nantly repudiated the idea, I could not help feel- 
ing how confidently I would stake life and repu- 
tation upon the issue if our situations were re- 
versed. I had noticed many familiar faces among 
the officers and crew as I passed along the deck 
a few moments before. Every one was at his 
station ; the guns cast loose for action ; and it 
was in the nature of things, that I should con- 
trast this gallant man of war and all this efiicien- 
cy and discipline with the iron bound box and 
crew of " horse marines " which I had just left. 
But it was in no spirit of depreciation of the gal- 
lantry of my comrades, for I was quite sure that 
they would stand to their guns. The wretched 
" bowl of Gotham " which had no efficient motive 
power, and which could not even be got under 
way, when anchored, without slipping the chain 
cable, caused the misgivings. It is no disparage- 
ment to the prowess of the U. S. fleet which passed 
the forts, to assert, that they never could have 
tuccessfully opposed our forces ; but the battle 
was won quite as effectually when they succeeded 
in passing beyond the range of the guns of the 
forts and the "Louisiana." 

After our official business was closed, DeC. 
and I began to talk of the war ; and he expressed 



THE SLAVE CODE OF MASSACHUSETTS. 37 

the opinions then entertained, beyond a doubt, by 
a majority of U. S. army and naval officers. 
They believed it to be the intention of the Gov- 
ernment to bring the seceding States back into the 
Union, with their rights and institutions unim- 
paired. Since then a little leaven has leavened 
the whole lump, and the former doctrine of the 
extreme abolitionists has long become the creed 
of the dominant party. But some facts should 
be borne in mind by those who denounce slavery 
as the sum of all villanies; for instance, that the 
slave code of Massachusetts was the earliest in 
America; the crudest in its provisions and has 
never been formally repealed ; that the Plymouth 
settlers, according to history, maintained " that 
the white man might own and sell the negro and 
his offspring forever;" that Mr. Quincj^, a repre- 
sentative from Massachusetts during the war of 
1812, threatened the House of Congress that the 
JSTorth would secede " peaceably if we can, forcibly 
if we must " unless their demands for peace were 
acceded to ; and lastly that the abolitionists of a 
later age denounced the Constitution and canonized 
John Brown for committing a number of murders 
and endeavoring to incite servile insurrection in 
time of peace. Truly " tempora mutantur," etc. 



38 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

The river obstructions, above alluded to, con- 
sisted of a line of sunken vessels, and of heavy 
pieces of timber chained together, and extending 
from bank to bank. A few days before the 
attack was made. General Duncan was speaking 
rather confidently of his barricade, when Warley 
remarked, " General, if I commanded a fleet 
below, and my commission lay above your 
obstructions, I would come up and get UP 
Most of us belonging to that little naval fleet, 
knew that Admiral Farragut would dare to 
attempt what any man would ; and for my own 
part, I had not foi'gotten that while I was under 
his command during the Mexican War, he had 
proposed to Commodore Perry, then commanding 
the Gulf Squadron, and urged upon him, the 
enterprise of capturing the strong fort of San 
Juan de Ulloa at Vera Cruz hy hoarding. Lad- 
ders were to be constructed and triced up along 
the attacking ships' masts : and the ships to be 
towed alojig side the walls by the steamers of the 
squadron. Here was a much grander prize to be 
fought for ; and every day of delay was strength- 
ening his adversaries. It was the general belief, 
indeed, at the time, that the admiral was in daily 
communication with the city by means of spies ; 



NAVAL PEEPARATtONS. 89 

and the public indignation was so deeply roused 
against Mr. T — t, the constructor of the Missis- 
sippi, (" a Northern man with Southern prin- 
ciples ") who failed from time to time in launching 
that vessel as he had appointed to do, that he was 
in danger of " Lynch law " ; and it is at least a 
singular coincidence that the naval attack M'as 
made immediately after that powerful vessel was 
launched, and before the guns could be put on 
board. But the idea of any collusion between 
Mr. T — t and the enemy, or of treachery on the 
part of the former, was never entertained, I 
believe, except by a few bigoted zealots, blinded 
by hate and passion against every one born north 
of the Potomac. 

This class, which ought to have acted more 
fairly, found many followers among the multi- 
tude; from which little charity or justice can 
ever be expected. Nearl}^ 1900 years ago the 
"plebes," influenced bj their leaders, demanded 
the release of a robber and murderer and crucified 
the Saviour of mankind ; and history further 
informs us that 500 years before that era, a Greek 
citizen could be banished without special trial, 
accusation, or defence ; and that Aristides was 
sent into exile because people were tired of hear- 



40 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNEE. 

iiig him always called " the Jnst." Social ostra- 
cism will continue to exist till the millennium. 
The gentlemen of northemi birth who were so 
unfortunate as to occupy prominent positions 
during the war, were mercilessly held up to scorn 
and distrust, if they failed to come up to the pub- 
lic expectation. In truth, they occupied trying 
positions; being regarded by many as aliens and 
mercenaries. " Mens conscia recti " w4Il support 
us under many trials ; but it does not furnish 
armor of proof against the " poor man's scorn, 
the proud man's contumely.'' 

The interval between the 21st and 24th of 
April was occupied by Commodore Mitchell in 
organizing the force under his command, and 
in endeavoring to arrange some concert of 
action with the "River Defence" gunboats. 

On board the Louisiana every effort was 
made to complete the works upon tlie propel- 
lers, and in mounting the battery, on which the 
mechanics worked night and day. Our " Cres- 
cent artillery ;'' a detachment of artillery from 
the forts under Lieutenant Dixon ; and Captain 
llyan's company of Sharp-shooters supplied the 
deticiences in our crew. The Commodore was 
unsuccessful in his efforts to induce Captain 



CHANGE OF POSITION. 41 

Stevenson to employ one of his gunboats below 
the obstructions at night, to watch the U. S. fleet ; 
and we had no vessel suitable for that purpose ; 
the only one which would have answered (the 
Jackson) having been sent, with one of the 
launches, to watch the U. S. land forces near the 
Quarantine station, five miles above us. The 
only launch which remained to us was sent, by 
the Commodore's orders, below the obstructions 
every night, but the ofiicer in command after- 
wards proved either a traitor or a coward, failing 
to make the concerted signal upon the approach 
of the fleet, and never reporting himself on board 
the Louisiana afterwards. 

General Duncan urged upon the Commodore, 
the first or second day after our arrival below, to 
take a new position with the Louisiana at the 
river bank just below Fort St. Philip, and under 
cover of its guns, from whence she might open 
fire with effect upon the mortar fleet. The Com- 
modore declined the proposition, and his action 
was sustained in a consultation with all the com- 
manding officers of the C. S. naval forces present, 
on the grounds, "first, that the battery of the 
Louisiana was not in a condition for service;" 
"second, that the completion of the propeller and 



42 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

otlier mechanical work in progress, was indispens- 
able to the efficiency of the vessel, and that it 
would be interrupted if she were placed under 
fire ; " and third, " that placing the Louisiana in 
a position to receive the fire of the enemy, before 
her own battery could be served with effect, 
would be improperly hazarding, not only her own 
safety, but the security of the passage between 
the forts on which rested the possession of New 
Orleans."* 

But on the afternoon of the 23d the work had 
so far progressed as to encourage the belief that 
the vessel might be moved to the point proposed, 
and the Commodore, after making a reconnois- 
sance, had decided to do so, and notified General 
Duncan of this intention. Captain Stevenson 
was to assist with two of his gunboats which were 
especially well adapted to this purpose. 

Commodore Mitchell, in his official report to 
the C. S. Secretary of the Navy, intimates that 
" he fully appreciated and admitted the import- 
ance of the proposed change of position for the 
Louisiana," but contends that the state of the bat- 

* From Commodore Mitchell's oflBcial report to the Sec- 
retary of the C. S. Navy, dated August 19th, 1863. 



CHANGE OF POSITION. 43 

tery, independent of other weighty reasons, was 
sufficient to prevent its being made previous to 
the engagement of the 24th." One of these con- 
sists in the fact, that owing to the pecnHar con- 
struction of tlie Louisiana's port-holes, her guns 
could not be elevated more than five degrees. 
The mortar fleet would have been beyond their 
ranj^e. 



CHAPTER III. 

The 24th April.— Passage of the United States Fleet.— After 
the Storm. — The " River Defence " boats. — The Refuge 
in the Bayou. — Surrender of the Forts. — Extracts from 
Commodore Mitchell's official reports. — Council of 
War. — Destruction of the " Louisiana." — Our Comman- 
der General B. F. Butler. — Transferred to the United 
States frigate " Colorado." 

ON the night of April 23d, the bursting of 
the shells was as incessant as usual. To- 
ward daylight of the 24th, an ominous calm of 
brief duration was broken bj the lirst broadside 
of the advancing fleet, which had approached so 
rapidly as to remove and pass the obstructions un- 
discovered, and before the launch on picket duty 
could get back to our fleet. For a few minutes 
the roar of the guns was deafening ; but objects 
were so obscured by the darkness and the dense 
smoke, that we could only fire, with eflect, at the 
flashes of the ship's guns. The Louisiana's three 
bow guns (one rifled seven-inch and two seven-inch 
shell guns) and her three starboard broadside guns 
(a rifled six-inch and two eight-inch shell guns) 



AFTER THE STORM. 45 

were all that could be brout^ht to bear during the 
engagement ; tor being moored to the river bank, 
the stern and port broadside guns were useless. 
The U. S. fleet came up in two divisions, deliver- 
ing their broadsides in rapid succession. One of 
the ships was set on fire by one of the fireboats 
(a number of which had been prepared) but the 
flames were speedily extinguished. It is said that 
the unarmed tug Mozier, imder her heroic com 
mander, Sherman, while towing a fireboat along- 
side a heavy ship, was sunk by a broadside deliv- 
ered at short range, all on board perishing. One 
of the largest ships, believed to be the Hartford, 
came in contact with our stern, and received the 
fire of our three bow guns while in this position, 
returning a broadside, but she soon swung clear 
of us and continued on her way up the river. 

When day fairly broke, the storm had passed 
away, leaving wreck and ruin in its wake. The 
river banks were dotted, here and there, with 
burning steamers, and a large portion of the U. S. 
fleet had succeeded in getting beyond the forts. 
A few vessels of the attacking force had failed to 
pass the obstructions before daylight, and were 
driven back by the guns from the forts. The 
Louisiana and the McRae were the only vessels 



46 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

left to the Confederates ; but the former was 
ahiiost intact, her armor proving a sufficient de- 
fence against the broadsides, even when delivered 
at close range. The eight-inch sliells of the Hart- 
ford buried themselves about half their diameter 
in our armor, and crumbled into fragments. All 
of our casualties occurred on the spar deck ; our 
gallant commander being mortally w^ounded 
there ; and many of the mechanics, who were 
quartered on board the tenders alongside of us, 
were killed or wounded. The McRae and the 
Manassas were in the stream in time to take an 
active part in the conflict ; the former being 
considerably cut up. The Manassas struck two 
vessels with her prow, but did not succeed in sink- 
ing either. Having followed the fleet some dis- 
tance up the river, and being hard pressed and 
seriously damaged, she was run ashore and aban- 
doned. She shortly afterwards floated oS. and 
drifting down the river, sank between the forts. 
The Louisiana State gunboat " Governor Moore " 
made a gallant fight, sinking the U. S. gunboat 
" Verona." 

Kennon, in his official report, states his loss at 
iifty-seven killed and thirteen wounded out of a 
crew of ninety-three. He ran his vessel ashore 



THE EIVER DEFENCE BOATS. 47 

when she was in a sinking condition, and set fire 
to her with his own hand. The '' River De- 
fence " gunboats, with the exception of the 
"Resolute," were either destroj'ed by fire of 
the enemy's fleet, or by their own crews. The 
"Resolute" was discovered ashore, after the 
action, abont a mile above Fort Jackson and aban- 
doned by her crew. Lieut. Alden, with a party 
from the " McRae," took possession of her, and 
endeavored to get her afloat as she was very little 
injured, but being attacked by one of the gun- 
boats from above, which succeeded in putting 
several shots through her hull at the water line, 
Alden was compelled to abandon her after setting 
her on fire. Among the mortally wounded on 
board the " McRae " was her commander T. B. 
Huger. The "Defiance," one of the "River De- 
fence" gunboats, escaped without material injury. 
She was turned over to the command of Commo- 
dore Mitchell by Captain Stevenson on the 26th, 
without any of her officers and crew, who refused 
to remain in her, and went ashore.* 

* Extract from Commodore Mitchell's official report 
dated August 19tli, 1863. " The following is believed to be 
a correct list of the vessels that passed up by Forts Jackson 
and St. Philip during the engagement of the 24th April ; 







48 NAKRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-KUNNEK. 

After landing the wounded, we continued the 
work upon the machinery of the Louisiana, buoyed 

mounting in the aggregate one hundred and eighty-four 

guns, viz., 

Hartford steamer, 28 guns 1st class sloop. 

Richmond, " 28 " 

Brooklyn, " 28 " " 

Pensacola, " 28 " " 

" J Mississippi, " 21 " " 

Iroquois, " 10 " 2d class sloop. 

Oneida, " 10 " 

Verona, " 11 " " 

Cayuga, " 5 " " 

Penola, " 5 " " 

Wissahickon, " 5 " '* 

Winona, " 5 " " 

How any controversy could arise as to which branch of 
the U. S. Service deserves the credit of the capture of New 
Orleans is a matter of wonder to those who were present at 
the time. The following article from the Richmond En- 
quirer of September 10th, 1875, written by an eye-witness of 
many of the scenes in the city which he describes, would 
seem conclusively to establish the fact that the navy alone 
achieved the capture. 

"The question has again been raised as to whether the 
army or the navy is entitled to the credit of having captured 
New Orleans from the Confederates in April or May, 18G3. 
It has been a mooted point in history ever since the event 
happened, and its discussion has caused no little angry feel- 
ing between the two branches of the service. Ben. Butler, 
of course, laid claim to the honors of the capture, and pro- 
claimed himself " the hero " of New Orleans, completely 
overshadowing Farragut and his fleet, and the lying his- 
tories of the day, written in the Radical interest on the other 
side of the line, have perpetuated the fraud. No citizen of 



EXTKACTS. 49 

up by the hope of soon being able to retrieve our 
disasters. Our number was increased b}' officers 

New Orleans who persoually knows anything of the circum- 
stances of the fall of the city into the hands of the Federals 
lias ever had any doubts as to who was or is entitled to the 
credit ; but the persistent efforts of Butler and his friends to 
claim the lion's share in that exploit, have at last called out 
the Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy in Mr. Lin- 
coln's Cabinet, as the champion of Admiral Farragut and his 
gallant tars. In the course of an article in the Hartford 
Times, 'hir. Welles shows that " In January, 1862, the plan 
for the reduction of the forts below New Orleans and the 
capture of the city was fully matured in the Navy Depart- 
ment, Farragut receiving orders in detail for the work on 
the 20th of that month ; that the memorable passage of the 
forts was made, and the surly submission of the Mayor of 
New Orleans received by Farragut on the 26th of April, for- 
mal possession being immediately taken and the United 
States flag displ.ayed on the public buildings ; that the army 
was not only absent alike from the plan and the execution 
of this great movement, but did not appear until May 1, 
when General Butler's troops arrived, and on the day follow- 
ing entered upon the occupation of the city captured by Far- 
ragut." 

Quite correct, Mr. ex-Secretary. Farragut passed the forts 
as stated, with the Hartford and one or two other vessels, 
destroyed the ram Manassas, and the other Confederate ves- 
sels of war, after a most desperate battle, in which at least 
one of his best ships was sunk, and then made his way in 
his flag-ship unmolested up the river. He arrived alone in 
front of New Orleans on the 26th of April, and at noon 
brought his guns to bear on the city at the head of Girod 
street. He immediately dispatched Lieutenant Bailey with 
a flag of truce to the authorities demanding the surrender, 
and giving them thirty-six hours in which to reply, — at the 
expiration of which time he should open fire and bombard 



50 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

and men who bad escaped from some of the aban- 
doned vessels. Many of them, to obtain shel- 

tlie place, if an answer favorable to his demand were not re- 
ceived. The city at this time had been partially evacuated 
by General Lovell and his troops, and all authority had been 
surrendered by the military to the mayor. The terms sub- 
mitted by Farragut were discussed for fully twenty-four 
hours by the Council, assembled at the Mayor's office, and 
all this time the city was in the hands of a wild, reckless 
and excited mob of citizens, while people everywhere were 
flying or preparing for flight, many even in such haste as 
to leave their houses open and valuables exposed to the dep- 
redations of servants or the mob. Perhaps no more fearful 
scene of confusion was ever witnessed outside of Paris 
when in the throes of a periodic revolution. It was a novelty 
then for an American city to be captured or to fall into the 
hands of an enemy, and the people had some very queer no- 
tions about defending it to the last, and fighting the enemy 
with all sorts of weapons amid its ruins. It was with the 
vitmost difficulty the police could protect Bailey and his mid- 
dies with their flag of truce. But on the following day, and 
before the time of grace expired, the Council determined 
tliat as they had no means of defence against the enemy's 
ships, which held the city at the mercy of their guns, it was 
best to enter into negotiations for the surrender. Farragut 
then demanded that as a sign of submission the Confeder- 
ate flag shoiild be hauled down from all points where dis- 
played in the city and replaced by the stars and stripes, and 
in the meantime he would send a battery with his sailors 
and marines ashore to maintain order. But no one was 
found in the city to take the Confederate flags down, and 
hoist the starry banner in their place; so a battery of ships' 
guns was landed and hauled through the streets till it 
reached the City Hall, and there it was placed in position to 
cover every point of approach. A young middy, a])parently 
about fifteen years of age, then made his appearance at the 



EXTRACTS. 61 

ter from tlie shells and canister shot of the Fed- 
eral fleet, had taken refuge in the " bayous " 

entrance of the City Hall, bearing a United States flag. He 
was admitted without opposition, and was shown the way 
to the top of the building. The lad ascended to the roof, 
and in full view of an assembled multitude of thousands in 
the streets and on the housetops, deliberately undid the hal- 
yards and hauled down the Confederate, or rather Louisiana 
State flag ; then replacing it with the one he carried, hoisted 
it to the peak of the staff in its place, and the capture of 
New Orleans by the navy was complete. Many who wit- 
nessed the act of this daring boy trembled for his life, as a 
rifle shot from any of the houses surrounding, or even from 
the street, would have proved fatal and put an end to his 
young life at any moment. So excited was the crowd in the 
street, when the middy came down, and so fierce the thirst 
for vengeance upon any object that might present itself, 
that it was found necessary to hurry him into a close car 
riage and drive with all speed through back streets, to keep 
clear of the pressing mob, who, in the blindness of their 
passion, would perhaps have sacrificed the youngster, had 
they caught him, to appease their rage. 

After this the city began to quiet down. The foreign 
residents formed themselves into a police and took charge 
of the streets ; and had succeeded pretty well in restoring 
order, when, on the 2d of May, Butler landed at the levee 
from his transports, and marched to the St. Charles, where 
he established his headquarters and took formal possession 
of the city. Still he found it no easy matter to subdue the 
spirit of a people who did not hesitate to jeer at his soldiers 
or jostle them from the sidewalks as they marched through 
the streets. But he soon enough became master of the situa- 
tion, and made the most for himself out of what Farragut 
had so readily placed in his hands. The navy was certainly 
entitled to all the credit of the capture ; one ship in front of 
the city with open ports was enough, it did what the entire 



52 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNEB. 

which lie not far from the river in many places ; 
and they looked like half drowned rats as they 
came on board the Louisiana. One of the 'officers 
gave a ludicrous account of a poor girl, who had 
fled from her home on the river bank as the fleet 
was passing, with no clothing except her night 
dress, and no earthly possession but a lap-dog 
which she held in her clasped arms. She had 
sought the same place of refuge and as the shells 
and shot would whistle over her head she would 
dive like a duck under the water; and every time 
she rose above the surface, the lap-dog would 
sneeze and whimper a protest against the frequent 
submersions. The officer at last persuaded her to 
let him take charge of her draggled pet ; and 
finally had the pleasure of seeing her safe back to 
her home before leaving her. 

During the night of the 27th after unremit- 
ting labor, our machinery was at last completed, 
and we prepared to make the attempt to go up 

army of Butler, had it been ten times as numeroup, could 
never have accomplished. New Orleans never would have 
been taken by the army alone ; but the guns of a sloop-of. 
war in front of an open city are conclusive and irresistible 
arguments. If it was heroism to capture that city the Con- 
federacy will always be as free to admit that Farragut was 
the hero of New Orleans, as that Butler was the tyrant, rob- 
ber, and oppressor of its conquered people. 



SUKEENDER OF THE FORTS. 53 

the river in pursuit of the fleet. Commodore 
Mitchell notified General Duncan of his purpose, 
and the latter seemed sanguine of a successful 
issue, assuring the Commodore of his ability to 
hold the forts for weeks. Orders were issued on 
board the Louisiana for the crew to have an early 
breakfast, and every thing to be in readiness to 
cast off from the river bank a little after sunrise. 
The situation justified the hopes entertained by 
us of at least partially retrieving our fortunes, 
when, shortly after day-light, an ofilcer came 
across the river to us from Fort Jackson, with 
General Dancan's compliments, and to say that 
General D. was about to surrender the forts to 
Commodore Porter.* In nautical parlance, we 
were "struck flat aback" by this astounding 
intelligence. With the forts as a base of opera- 
tions, ^e might repeat the eftbrt, if the first were 

* Extract from Commodore Mitchell's official report, 
dated Aug. 19th, 1863. 

" During the night of Sunday the 27th we had so far 
succeeded in operating the propellers that we expected early 
the next day to make a fair trial of them in connection with 
the paddle wheels, when at daylight an officer sent by Gen. 
Duncan came on board to inform us that many of the garri- 
son at Fort Jackson had deserted during the night ; that 
serious disturbances had occurred ; and that the disaffection 
of the men was believed to be general on account of what 
appeared to them to have become the desperate character of 
the "defence," etc. 



54 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-KTJNNER. 

unsuccessful; and would be able to repair dam- 
ages, if necessary, under shelter of their guns ; 
but with their surrender we M'ere helpless. The 
capture of the Louisiana would then become, 
indeed, a mere question of time, without the 
firing of a gun ; for we would have been unable 
to replenish our supplies either of provisions or 
coal wlien exhausted. The most sanguine spirits 
on board, in the light of their experience of the 
motive power of the Louisiana, did not believe 
that we could accomplish more than the control 
of that portion of the river within the range of 
our guns; nor that the vessel could ever do much 
more than stem the rapid current of the Missis- 
sippi. The surrender of New Orleans was, 
indeed, inevitable; but even that catastrophe 
would not involve complete possession of the river 
by the enemy while we held the forts near its 
mouth. The gigantic efforts afterwards made by 
the Federal forces for the capture of Vicksburg 
showed the vital importance attached by the 
United States Government to the possession of 
the fortified positions on the Mississippi, while 
the equally desperate exertions made by the 
Confederacy to hold it, demonstrated our con- 
sciousness of its value to us. 



BURNING THE LOUISIANA. 55 

Commodore Mitchell ordered his boat and 
proceeded with all haste to remonstrate with 
General Duncan ; but all was unavailing ; the 
General informing the Commodore that he had 
already dispatched a boat to the United States 
fleet, offering to surrender his command under cer- 
tain conditions ; disclaiming, in the offer, all con- 
trol over the forces afloat. The Commodore's 
boat had scarcely got back to the Louisiana, when 
the quartermaster on duty reported one of the 
ships of the fleet below steaming up the river 
towards us, with a white flag flying at the mast- 
liead. General Duncan, it is said, stated to the 
citizens of New Orleans a few days afterward, that 
a large number of his guns had been spiked by the 
mutineers of the garrison ; and that he had no 
alternative but to surrender. 

A hasty council of war was held on board the 
Louisiana, during which it was decided to trans- 
fer the oflicers and crew to our two tenders and 
to burn the ship. This was speedily carried into 
effect, and the two transports steamed across the 
river as the flames burst through the Louisiana's 
hatchway.* Those who wished to make the 

* Extract from Commodore Mitchell's official report : 
" I at once returned on board and called a council of war 



56 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCK ADE-KUNNEB 

attempt to escape through the bajons, received 
permission to do so ; and a few of tlie number, 
familiar with the locality, succeeded in evading 
the Federal pickets, and getting within the Con- 
federate lines. The rest of us were entrapped ; 
passing several hours of ver^^ unpleasant suspense, 
while the forts were being surrendered. It was 
a grand spectacle when the flames reached the 
Louisiana's magazine. The hawsers, securing her 
to the river-bank, having been burnt in two, she 
floated out into the stream a few minutes before 
the explosion ; and at the moment of its occur- 
rence, a column of pure white smoke shot rapidly 

composed of Lieutenants Wilkinson, (commanding) \V. H. 
Ward, A. F. Warley, Wm. C. Whittle, Jr. R. J. Bowen, 
Arnold, F. M. Harris, and George N. Shryock, by whom — in 
consequence of tlie enemy's having the entire command of 
the river above and below us, with an overwhelming force, 
and who was in the act of obtaining quiet and undisturbed 
possession of Forts Jackson and St. Philip, with all their 
material defences intact, with ordnance, military stores and 
provisions, thus cutting the Louisiana off from all succor or 
support ; and her having on board not more than ten days' 
provisions, her surrender would be rendered certain in a 
brief period by the simple method of blockade ; and that, 
in the condition of her motive power and defective steering 
apparatus, and the immediate danger of attack, she was very 
liable to capture — it was unanimously recommended that 
the Louisiana be destroyed, forthwith, to prevent her fall- 
ing into the hands of the enemy, while it remained in our 
power to prevent it ; first retiring to our tenders." 



TREATMENT OF PRI80NEES. 57 

high into the air from the blazing hnll, wreathing 
itself at the top into the shape of a snow-white 
"cumulns" cloud; and in a few seconds after- 
wards, huge fragments of the wreck showered 
down, far and wide, upon the river and the 
adjacent shore. The Louisiana had disappeared 
before the deafening report attending the catas- 
trophe reached our ears. 

Immediately after the United States flag was 
hoisted upon the forts, the steamer " Harriet 
Lane" steamed slowly toward us, and sent a shot 
over our heads as a summons to haul down the 
Confederate flag which was then flying at our 
peak. The demand was promptly complied with, 
and we were prisoners of war. 

Upon the pretext that we had violated the 
usages of war by burning the Louisiana while a 
flag of truce was flying, we were for a time sub- 
jected to unusual humiliations ; learning after- 
wards, indeed, that Commodore Porter had recom- 
mended to the Secretary of the Navy a continuance 
of harsh treatment toward us upon our arrival at 
Fort Warren, where we were destined. The re- 
ply to the charge brought against us is obvious, 
viz., we were no parties to the flag of truce ; nor 
were we included in the terms of the surrender ; 
3* 



58 NAREATI^E OF A BLOCK ADE-EUNNEE. 

General Duncan treating only for the garrisons 
under his command, and expressly disclaiming 
any connection with us. 

We were kept for a few days in close confine- 
ment on board the United States gunboat " Clif- 
ton," * and were transferred from her on the 7th 
of May to the frigate Colorado, lying olf the mouth 
of the Mississippi. Here we found Kennon, who 
had been consigned to a " lower deep" than our- 
selves. He was placed nnder a sentry's charge 
behind a canvas screen on the opposite side of the 
gun deck from us ; and strict orders were given 
that no one should hold any communication with 

* The first and only time that I ever saw the notorious 
General B. F. Butler, who subsequently claimed for liimseif 
and the troops under his command, the honor of capturing 
New Orleans, was on board the " Clifton." He took passage 
in her to the city. No one who has ever looked ypon that 
unique countenance can ever forget it ; and as his glance 
rested for a moment upon us, each one conceived himself to 
be the special object of the General's regard ; for owing to 
his peculiar visual organs, that distinguished individual 
seems to possess the Argus like faculty of looking steadily 
at several persons at one and the same time. With the 
pride that apes humility, or perhaps with the eccentricity 
of genius, he affected, upon the occasion, a rough costume ; 
wearing a slouch hat, and having his trowsers tucked in- 
side of his soiled boots ; and he carried in his hand a long 
stick like a pilgrim's staff'. He p7'eccded his troops to the 
city, however, and might therefore, with equal propriety 
and regard for truth, claim the sole glory of its capture. 



PEI80NEKS OF WAK. 59 

him. The charge against him was, that he had 
caused the death of some of his wounded crew by 
Betting fire to his ship before their removal, a 
charge denied by him ; but even if it were true, 
or admitted, that some of his crew were unable to 
escape, he was only responsible to his own gov- 
ernment. In a few days, however, he was re- 
leased from solitary confinement, and many re- 
strictions were removed from all of us. But 
humiliations or physical discomforts weighed as a 
feather upon our spirits compared with our reflec- 
tions upon the consequences of the disaster which 
we had witnessed ; and our consciousness that this 
sad fate had been brought upon the country 
chiefly by treachery and want of concert. And, 
indeed, the extent of the disaster could scarcely 
be exaggerated. It gave the United States Gov- 
ernment possession of the State of Louisiana, the 
almost complete control of the Mississippi river, 
and separated Texas and Arkansas from the rest 
of the Confederacy for the remainder of the war. 



CHAPTER IV. 

Transferred to the " Rhode Island." — Meeting witb an old 
Friend. — Arrival at Fort Warren. — Treatment there. — 
Correspondence, and its Result. — Prison Life. — Ex- 
changed. — The Crew at quarters. — Burial of the " Un- 
known." 

f~\^ the 9th of May we were transferred from 
^^ the Colorado to the steamer Ehode Island, 
bound to Fort "Warren. On board of this vessel 
we were " tabooed " even more completely by the 
officers, than on board the Colorado ; for the 
Rhode Island was officered, with the single excep- 
tion, I believe, of her captain, hy volunteers, who 
wore not connected with us by any associations 
of friendship or congeniality of taste. The harsh 
order to hold no intercourse with us, had been 
evaded or violated, "sub rosa," on board the Colo- 
rado by old friends and shipmates. On board the 
Rhode Island, much to our satisfaction, it was 
strictly obeyed ; for w'e would have lost our 
patience to be " interviewed " by fledgling naval 
heroes, many of whom had reached the quarter 
deck through the hawseholes. Upon one occasion, 



AT FORTRESS MONROE. 61 

many years ago, when the question of increasing 
the United States Navy was under discussion by 
Congress, a rough western member, opposed to 
the measure, stated that his section of the country 
could supply droves of young officers whenever 
they were needed. The United States Govern- 
ment must have " cori'alled " lots of youngsters, 
without regard to their fitness or capacity, to send 
on board the ships of war during our civil con- 
flict. The " noble commander " of the Rhode 
Island most of us had known of old as a prim lit- 
tle precisian, and a great stickler for etiquette, 
and by no means a bad fellow ; but so strict a 
constructionist that he would probably have re- 
fused to recognize his grandfather, if it were 
against orders. But he had a humane disposition 
under his frigid exterior ; and allowed us all the 
comfort and privileges compatible with discipline 
and safety. 

We touched at Fortress Monroe; and while 
the vessel was at anchor there I received a gratify- 
ing evidence that this fratricidal war had not de- 
stroyed all kindly feelings between former friends 
and messmates. The executive officer of the 
Rhode Island called me aside to say that a friend 
wished to see me in his state-room : and as he did 



62 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

not mention tlie name, I was surprised to find 
myself warmly greeted by Albert Smith. "VVe 
had served together during the Mexican war, and 
our cruise had not been an nneventful one ; for 
the vessel to which we were attached (" the 
Perry ") after considerable service in the Mexican 
Gulf, was dismasted and wrecked, during one 
of the most terrific hurricanes that ever deso- 
lated the West India Islands. Thirty-nine vessels, 
out of forty-two, which . lay in the harbor of 
Havana, foundered at their anchors, or were 
driven ashore ; all of the light-houses along the 
Florida reef were destroyed, and hundreds of per- 
sons perished. The Perry lost all of her boats, 
her guns, except two, were thrown overboard, and 
she escaped complete destruction almost by a 
miracle. She encountered the hurricane off 
Havana, and after scudding for many hours under 
bare poles, describing a circle as the wind con- 
tinued to veer in the cyclone, she passed over the 
Florida reef with one tremendous shock as she 
hung for a moment upon its rocky crest. Her 
masts went by the board, but we had passed in a 
moment from a raging sea into smooth water. 
Captain Blake, who commanded her, achieved 
the feat of rigging jury masts with his crew, and 



AT FORT WARREN. 63 

carrying the v^essel to the Philadelphia navy yard 
for repairs. Albert Smith and I had not met for 
many years. He offered me any service in his 
power, and pressed me to accept at least a pecuni- 
ary loan. The kind offer, although declined, was 
gratefully remembered ; and I was glad, too, to 
lind that he, in common with many others, who 
remained to fight under the old flag, could ap- 
preciate the sacrifices made by those who felt 
equally bound, by all the truest and best feelings 
of our nature, to defend their homes and fire- 
sides. 

On our arrival at Fort Warren we were as- 
signed quarters in one of the casemates. Little 
more than a year had passed away since I had 
planted a signal staff upon its parapet to aiigle 
upon ; being then engaged, as chief of a hydro- 
graphic surveying party, in surveying the ap- 
proaches to Boston Harbor. Then its garrison 
consisted of a superannuated sergeant whose office 
was a sinecure; now it held an armed garrison, 
who drilled and paraded every day, with all the 
" pomp and circumstance " of war, to the patriotic 
tune of " John Brown's body lies a-moulding in 
the grave, but his spirit is marching on ; " and it 
was crowded with southern prisoners of war. 



64 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

For a few days, in pursuance of Connno- 
dore Porter's policy, we were closely confined ; 
but all exceptional restrictions were then removed 
and we fell into the monotonous routine of prison 
life. The following correspondence took place 
previous to the removal of the restrictions, and 
explains the reason of their withdrawal. 

Fort Warren, Boston Harbor, May 25, 1862. 

Sir, — I was much surprised last evening on be- 
ing informed by Colonel Dimmick that Lieuten- 
ants Wilkinson, Warly, Ward, Whittle and Harris, 
together with myself, have been, by your order, 
denied the " privileges and courtesies that are 
extended to other prisoners," on the ground that 
the act of burning the Confederate States Battery 
" Louisiana," late under my command, was held 
by the United States Navy Department as "in- 
famous." In my letter to the Department, dated 
on board of the LTnited States Steamer Rhode 
Island, Key West, May 14th, 1862, and forwarded 
through Commander Trenchard on the arrival of 
that vessel in Hampton Hoads, together with a 
copy of my letter to Flag officer Farragut, and his 
reply thereto, I felt assured that all the facts con- 
nected with the destruction of the Louisiana were 



COKKESPONDENCE. 65 

' placed in snch a light as not to be mistaken, nor 
my motives misconstrued. To render the affair 
still more clear I enclose herewith a memorandum 
of W. C. Whittle Jr., Confederate States Navy, 
who was the bearer of my message to Commodore 
Porter respecting my fears that the magazine of 
the Louisiana had not been effectually drowned. 
With all these statements forwarded by me to the 
United States Navy Department I am perfectly 
willing to rest the case with impartial and unpre- 
judiced minds, as well as with my own Govern- 
ment, satisfied that nothing has been done by the 
foregoing officers, nor myself, militating at all 
against the strictest rules of military honor and 
usage. 

Though I will not affect an indifference to the 
personal annoyance to us by the action of the 
United States Navy Department in our case as 
prisoners of war, yet my chief solicitude is to 
have placed on file in that office such a statement 
of facts as will, on a fair investigation, vindicate 
all the officers of the Confederate States Navy 
concerned from the odium of infamous conduct 
unjustly attempted to be fixed upon them by 
those of the United States Navy ; against which 
and the infliction of punishment as directed 



6Q NA.RRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

bj the Navy Department I enter my solemn 
protest. 

I most emphatically assert that the Louisiana, 
when abandoned and fired by my order, was not 
only not " turned adrift " or intended to injure the 
United States forces as charged by Commander 
Porter ; but that she was actually left secured to 
the opposite bank of the river and distant quite 
three-fourths of a mile from the said forces, for 
the very reason that the}^ were flying a flag of 
truce, and for that reason I dispatched the warn- 
ing message to Commander Porter respecting the 
magazine. That it is not only the right, but the 
duty, of an ofiicer to destroy public propertj' to 
prevent its falling into the hands of an enemy 
docs not admit of question ; and in addition to all 
which, it must not be overlooked that the forces 
under my command flew no flag of truce, and that 
I was not in any way a party to the surrender of 
Forts Jackson and St. Philip. 
I have the honor to be 
Very respectfully your obedient servant, 
(Signed) Jno. K. MrrcHELL, 

Commander C. S. Navy. 
Hon. Gideon Welles, 

Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. 



CORRESPONDENCE 67 

Copy in Substance. 
Navy Depabtment, Washington, May 29, 1862 

Sir, — The explanations of Commodore J. K. 
Mitchell are satisfactory, and the restrictions 
.imposed on him and his associates by the de- 
partment's order of the 2d instant will be re- 
moved, and they will be treated as prisoners of 
war. 

This does not relieve Beverly Kennon from 
the restrictions imposed on him. 

(Signed) Gideon "Welles. 

Colonel Justin Dimmick, 

Commanding Fort Warren, Boston. 

{Copy-) 

Navy Depaktment, June 25, 1862. 

Sir,— The letter of John K. Mitchell of the 
20th inst., concerning the restrictions imposed on 
you, by order of this Department, at Fort Warren, 
has been received. 

Will you please furnish the Department with 
the particulars of the destruction of the gunboat 
of which you had command in the engagement 
below New Orleans, with wounded men on board. 

I am respectfully your obedient servant, 
(Signed) Gideon Welles. 

Beverly Kennon, Fort Warren, Boston. 



68 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

(Copy) Fort Warren, Boston, June 28, 18t)2. 

Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary U. S. Nax)y. 

Sir, — Colonel Diintnick, the commander of 
this post, delivered to me yesterday a letter signed 
by you nnder date of June 25th directed to me 
as " Beverly Kennon " and referring to a com- 
munication addressed to you on tlie 20th inst. by 
my superior officer. Commander J. K. Mitchell, 
of the Confederate States Navy, whom you are 
pleased to desigiuite as '' John K. Mitchell." 

The purport of yuur letter is a request that I 
will furnish your Department of the United States 
Government with the " particulars of the destruc- 
tion of the gunboat of which I had command in 
the engagement below New Orleans y^\\hwounded 
men on board." 

When I destroyed and left the vessel which I 
had commanded on the occasion referred to, all 
the wounded men had been removed, the most of 
them lowered into boats by mj^ own hands, 1 was, 
myself, the last person to leave the vessel. Any 
statements which you may have received to the 
contrary are wholh'' without foundation. It would 
not be proper, under any circumstances, that I 
should report to you the " particulars " of her de- 
struction ; that being a matter which concerns my 



CORRESPONDENCE. 69 

own Government exclusively, and with which 
yours can have notliing to do. Should any 
charges he made against me, however, of which 
you have a right to take cognizance under the laws 
of war, I will with pleasure, respond to any respect- 
ful communication which you may address me on 
the subject. Indeed I shall be glad of the oppor- 
tunity to vindicate my character as an officer from 
the unjust and unfounded imputations which have 
been cast upon it in the connection to which you 
allude, and upon the faith of which I have already 
been disparaged by unusual restrictions and con- 
finements, here and elsewhere, since I have been 
a prisoner of war, without having been furnished 
an opportunity for such vindication. But your 
letter of the 20th inst. so studiously denies, both 
to Commander Mitchell and myself, not only our 
official designations, but those of common courtes}', 
that while I am unwilling to believe you would 
intentionally offer an indignity to prisoners of war 
in your power, I can not now make further reply 
without failing in respect to mj'self as well as to 
my superior officer and Government. 

I am Sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
(Signed) Beverly Kennon, 

Commander in Provisional Navy of the State 
of Louisiana in the Confcd(!rate service. 



70 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

The restrictions were removed from Kennon 
in a few days after the close of this correspond- 
ence. 

Many distinguished political prisoners were 
at that time confined at Fort Warren ; and all of 
the officers captured at Fort Donelson, Among 
the former class, were those members of the Mary- 
land Legislature, and of tlie Baltimore City Coun- 
cil, who had been arrested and imprisoned by the 
United States Government for alleged treason. It 
was my good fortune to be invited into this mess. 
It is not my purpose to inflict upon the reader a 
detailed account of prison life during the war, 
which has been described by tar abler pens than 
mine. All the members of our mess took their 
turns, either at carving or waiting upon the table, 
and guests were never better served. The grace- 
ful and accomplished old Commodore B. and 
General T. shone conspicuous as carvers ; while 
Colonels, Majors and Captains, with spotless nap- 
kins on their arms, anticipated ever}' wish of the 
guests at the table. Colonel Dimmick was hon- 
ored and beloved by the prisoners for his human- 
ity, and he and his family will ever be held in 
affectionate remembrance bj^ them ; many of us 
haviug received special acts of kindness, while 



PRISON LIFE. 71 

sufFering from sickness. When his son was 
ordered to active service in the field I believe 
there was an unanimous prayer by the prisoners 
that his life would be spared through the perils he 
was about to encounter. The prisoners, tirst 
giving their parole not to attempt to escape, were 
allowed the range of neai'ly the whole island dur- 
ing the day ; and not unfrequently suffered to see 
relatives and friends who had received permission 
from the proper authorities to visit them. In 
happier "ante belluni" times, I had known some 
of the good people of Boston, and had spent a 
portion of a summer with several families at that 
pleasant watering place, Nahant. One of my 
most esteemed friends — Mrs. L. — with the charity 
of a noble and Christian heart, wrote to me as 
soon as she learned that I was a prisoner; but 
she was too loyal to the flag not to express i-egret 
and distress at what she believed to be a mistaken 
sense of duty. The reader may remember the 
definition once given of " Orthodoxy " by a digni- 
tary of the church of England to an inquiring 
nobleman. " Orthodoxy, my Lord, is my doxy, 
heterodoxy is your doxy if you differ from me." 
The same authority, it has always appeared to me, 
was assumed by a large portion of the Northern 



72 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

people. They demanded a Government to suit 
their ideas, and disloyalty consisted in opposing 
them. 

We were permitted to write once a month to 
our friends in the Confederacy^ ; the letters beinn^ 
left open for inspection. There were a few 
Northerners among us, but I know of only a 
single case where the individual concerned so far 
yielded to the persuasion of his friends outside, as 
to renounce the cause which he had sworn to 
defend. 

Aside from the confinement, and the earnest 
desire to be doing our part in the war, there could 
be no cause to repine at our lot. We were 
allowed, at our own expense, to supply our tables 
from the Boston market, not only abundantly, 
but luxuriously ; the Government furnishing the 
usual rations ; and the prisoners grew robust 
upon the good fare and the bracing climate. A 
tug plied dail}"^ between Boston and the island on 
which Fort Warren is situated. We were per- 
mitted to receive the daily papers and to purchase 
clothing and other necessaries, either from the 
sutler, or from outside ; and many of the prison- 
ers were indebted to a noble charity for the 
means of supplying many of these needs ; of 



EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS. 73 

clothing especially, which was cliieflj furnished 
by the firm of Noah Walker & Co. of Baltimore. 
The firm itself was said to be most liberal, not 
merely dispensing the donations received in 
Baltimore and elsewhere, but supplying a large 
amount of clothing gratuitously. The policy of 
retaliation had not then been adopted. It is con- 
ceded that the United States Government, 
towards the close of the war, subjected the Con- 
federate prisoners in their hands to harsh treat- 
ment in pursuance of this policy ; but in justice 
to the Confederate authorities it should be borne 
in raind that they repeatedly proposed an 
exchange of prisoners upon the ground of human- 
ity, seeing that neither provisions nor medicine 
were procurable ; and, I believe, it is also a con- 
ceded fact that General Grant opposed exchanges. 
The testimony of General Lee given before the 
" reconstruction " Committee, clearly establishes 
the fact that lie did all in his power to effect this 
object. In answer to a question he says: "I 
offered to General Grant around Richmond that 
we should ourselves exchange all the prisoners in 
our hands, and to show that I would do whatever 
was in my power, I offered them to send to City 
Point all the prisoners in Virginia and North 



74 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

Carolina, over which my command extended, 
providing they returned an equal number of 
mine, man for man. I reported this to the War 
Department, and received for answer, that they 
would place at my command all the prisoners at 
the South, if the proposition was accepted." The 
Rev. J. "Wm. Jones, D. D., author of "Personal 
Keminiscences of General R. E. Lee," writes as 
follows upon this subject (page 194, et seq.) viz : 

" 1st — The Confederate authorities gave to 
prisoners in their hands the same rations which 
they issued to their own soldiers, and gave them 
the very best accommodations which their scant 
means afforded. 

" 2d. They were always anxious to exchange 
prisoners, man for man, and when this was re- 
jected by the Federal authorities, they offered to 
send home the prisoners in their hands without 
any equivalent. 

" 3d. By refusing all propositions to exchange 
prisoners, and declining even to receive theii- own 
men without equivalent the Federal authorities 
made themselves responsible for all the suffering, 
of both Federal and Confederate prisoners, that 
ensued. 

"4th. And yet notwithstanding these facts. 



VINDICATION. 75 

it is susceptible of proof, from the official records 
of the Federal Department, that the suffering of 
Confederate prisoners in Federal prisons was 
much greater than that of Federal prisoners in 
Confederate prisons. Without going more fully 
into the question, the following figures, from the 
report of Mr. Stanton, Secretary of War, in re- 
sponse to a resolution of the House of Representa- 
tives, calling for the number of prisoners on both 
sides and their mortality, are triumphantly sub- 
mitted. 

In prison. Died. 

U. S. Soldiers 260,940 22,526 

Confederates 200,000 26,500 

That is, the Confederate States held as pris- 
oners nearly 61,000 more men than the Fed- 
erals; and yet the death of Federal prisoners 
fell below those of the Confederates four thou- 
sand. 

Lastly, the Southern Historical Society, Rich- 
mond, Va., has recently published a " Yindication 
of the Confederacy against the Charge of Cruelty 
to Prisoners," which is conclusive on the whole 
question. It was compiled by the Secretary of 
the Society, the Rev. J. Wm. Jones, just quoted, 
who concludes with the following sunmiing up of 



76 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCK ADE-KUNNER. 

his argument. " We think that we have estab- 
lished the following points: 

" 1st. The laws of the Confederate Congress, 
the orders of the War Department, the Regula- 
tions of the Surgeon General, the action of our 
Generals in the field, and the orders of those who 
had the immediate charge of the prisoners, all 
provided that prisoners in the hands of the Con- 
federates should be kindly treated, supplied with 
the same rations which our soldiers had, and cared 
for, when sick, in hospitals placed on precisely the 
same footing as the hospitals for Corfederate 
soldiers. 

" 2d. If these regulations were violated in indi- 
vidual instances, and if subordinates were some- 
times cruel to prisoners, it was without the knowl- 
edge or consent of the Confederate Government, 
which always took prompt action on any case re- 
ported to them. 

" 3d. If the prisoners failed to get their full 
rations, and had those of inferior quality, the 
Confederate soldiers suffered in precisely the same 
way and to the same extent ; and it resulted from 
that system of warfare adopted by the Federal 
authorities, which carried desolation and ruin to 
every part of the South they could reach, and 



PRISON LIFE. 77 

which in starving the Confederates into submis- 
sion, brought the same evils upon their own men 
in Southern prisons. 

" 4th. The mortality in Southern prisons (fear- 
fully large, although over three per cent less than 
the mortality in Northei-n prisons) resulted from 
causes beyond the control of our authorities, from 
epidemics, etc., which might have been avoided or 
greatly mitigated had not the Federal Govern- 
ment declared medicines " contraband of war," 
refused the proposition of Judge Ould, that each 
Government should send its own surgeons with 
medicines, hospital stores, etc., to minister to sol- 
diers in prison, declined his proposition to send 
medicines to its own men in southern prisons, 
without being required to allow the Confederates 
the same privileges — refused to allow the Con- 
federate Government to buy medicines for gold, 
tobacco, or cotton, which it offered to pledge its 
honor should be used only for Federal prisoners 
in its hands, refused to exchange sick and wounded, 
and neglected from August to December, 1864, to 
accede to Judge Quid's proposition to send trans- 
portation to Savannah and receive without equiv- 
alent from ten to fifteen thousand Federal pris- 
oners, notwithstanding the fact that this offer was 



78 NAREATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-EtJNNEK. 

accompanied with a statement of the utter inabil- 
ity of the Confederacy to provide for these pris- 
oners, and a detailed report of the monthly 
mortality at Anderson ville, and that Judge Ould, 
again and again, urged compliance with his hu- 
mane proposal. 

" 5th. We have proven by the most unimpeach- 
able testimony, that the sufferings of Confederate 
prisoners in Northern "prison pens," were terrible 
beyond description ; that they were starved in a 
land of plenty, that they were frozen where fuel 
and clothing were abundant; that they suffered 
untold horrors for want of medicines, hospital 
stores and proper medical attention ; that they 
were shot by sentinels, beaten by officers, and sub- 
jected to the most cruel punishments upon the 
slightest pretexts ; that friends at the North were 
refused the privilege of clothing their nakedness 
or feeding them when starving ; and that these 
outrages were perpetrated not only with the 
full knowledge of, but under the orders of E. M. 
Stanton, United States Secretary of War. Wo 
have proven these things by Federal as well as 
Confederate testimony. 

" 6th. We have shown that all the suffering of 
prisoners on both sides could have been avoided 



PRISON LIFE. T9 

by simply carrying out the terms of the cartel, 
and that for the failure to do this, the Federal 
aidliorities alone were responsible ; that the Con- 
federate Government originally proposed the car- 
tel, and were alwaj's ready to carry it out both in 
letter and spirit; that the Federal authorities 
observed its terms only so long as it was to their 
interest to do so, and then repudiated their 
plighted faith and proposed other terms which 
were greatly to the disadvantage of the Confeder- 
ates ; that when the Government at Kichmond 
agreed to accept the hard terms of exchange offered 
them, these were at once repudiated by the Fed- 
eral authorities; that when Judge Quid agreed 
upon a new cartel with General Butler, Lieuten- 
ant-General Grant refused to approve it, and Mr. 
Stanton repudiated it ; and that the policy of 
the Federal Government was to refuse all ex- 
changes while they " fired the Northern heart " bj' 
placing the whole blame upon the "Rebels," and 
by circulating the most heartrending stories of 
" Rebel barbarity " to prisoners. If either of the 
above points has not been made clear to anj^ sin- 
cere seeker after the truth, we would be most 
happ3' to produce further testimony. And we 
hold ourselves prepared to maintain against all 



80 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

comers, the truth of every jpro]position we have 
laid down in this discussion. Let the calm ver- 
dict of history decide between the Confederate 
Government and its calumniators." 

These extracts are inserted with the hope that 
the fair minded reader may be induced to read 
the evidence upon the Confederate side. 

" Truth crushed to Earth will rise again ; 
The Eternal years of God are hers ; 
But Error, wounded, writhes in pain ; 
And dies amid her worshipers." 

It is not to be denied that the sufferings in 
Confederate prisons were fearful ; but they were 
caused by the destitute condition of the country 
ravaged by war, and the scarcity of medicines 
which were not to be obtained. 

We were growing very tired of the monotony 
of prison life, scarcely varied except by the daily 
game of football and the semi-weekly reports of 
the capture of Richmond, when a rumor began to 
circulate of a speedy exchange of prisoners. It 
was about the time when General McClellan 
" changed his base " from the lines around Rich- 
mond to Harrison's Landing, on James River. 
Early in August a large number of us, military 
and naval officers, were sent on board a transport 



EXCHANGED. SI 

bound to James Kiver, where we arrived in due 
time, and thence, after taking on board a number 
of Confederates forwarded from other prisons, we 
proceeded up the river to Aiken's Landing. There 
was fighting near Malvern Hill as we passed by 
there, and the United States gnnboats had been 
shelling the Confederate troops. The crew of one 
of them was at quarters, the men in their snow 
white " frocks " and trowsers, the beautifully pol- 
ished eight inch guns cast loose and ready for 
action. The captain of one of the guns, a hand- 
some man-of-war's man, looked at our party with 
a smile of bravado as we passed by, at the same 
time tapping his gun with his hand. Garrick or 
Kean could not have conveyed more meaning by 
a gesture. That handsome fellow's confidence in 
his pet was not misplaced ; for history records 
how frequently during the war the tide of battle 
was turned by that gallant Navy to which it is an 
honor ever to have belonged. We, who so reluc- 
tantly severed our connection with it, still feel a 
pride in its achievements; and in our dreams are 
frequently pacing the deck, or sitting at the mess 
table with dear friends of " auld lang syne," from 
whom we are probably severed forever on this 
side of eternity. 
4* 



82 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER, 

We were put ashore at Aiken's Landing on the 
5th of Aiignst. It was a hot, sultry day. Three 
or four poor fellows had died on board our trans- 
port while on our way up the river, and their 
bodies were landed at the same time with our- 
selves. While we were waiting for the prelim- 
inaries for the exchange of prisoners to be settled 
between the Commissioners, a large grave was dug 
in the sand with such implements as could be 
procured, and the "unknown" were consigned to 
their last resting place between high and low 
water mark. 



CHAPTER Y. 

A Brief Stay at Home. — Report to the War Department. — 
Instructions to go abroad. — The Blockade- runner 
" Kate." — Voyage to Nassau. — Yellow Fever. — The 
Undertaker. — Our Skipper " Captain Dick." — The Major 
sick. — A Story for the Marines. — Arrival at Cardenas. — 
The Coolies. — Arrival at Havana. — The American Consul 
and I. — The Pirate Marti. — The Spanish Steamer. — 
Pretty Harbors. — Captain Fry. 

A FTER reporting at the Navy Department, I 
-^-*- proceeded to my home. The day after my 
arrival there I was summoned by telegram to 
Richmond, to report in person to the Secretary of 
War. I had been detailed for special duty, and 
from this date commenced my connection with 
blockade running. Upon reaching the office, I 
found written instructions from the Secretary of 
War to proceed to England and purchase a steamer 
suitable for running the blockade, to load her with 
arms, munitions of war, and other supplies, and 
to bring her into a Confederate port with all dis- 
patch. Ample funds in sterling exchange were 
provided and a large amount of Confederate bonds 



84 NAERATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. - 

was entrusted to me for deposit with an agent of 
the Government in England. Accompanied by 
'my small staff of assistants, and by Major Ben. 
Ficklin, who went abroad under special instruc- 
tions from the War and Treasury Departments, I 
left Richmond about the 12th of August, and after 
some difficulty and delay, secured passage for the 
whole party on board the little steamer Kate, 
about to sail from Wilmington for Nassau. Un- 
der her skilful commander. Lock wood, this little 
side-wheel steamer had already acquired fame as 
a successful blockade-runner, and was destined to 
continue successful to the end of her career. But 
her appearance was by no means prepossessing, 
and she was very slow, her maximum speed being 
about nine knots. I forget by what accident she 
was at last disabled ; perhaps by sheer old age and 
inlinnity ; but her ribs were to be seen for many 
a day before the war ended, bleaching in the sun 
on one of the mud flats in Cape Fear River. 

The night of our crossing the bar was dark 
and stormy and we felt under great obligations to 
the blockading fleet outside, for showing lights at 
their peaks — thus enabling us to avoid them M'ith 
much ease. At this period, indeed, blockade run- 
ning had not assumed such enormous proportions 



GOING ABROAD. 85 

as it afterwards attained, when hundreds of thou- 
sands of dollars were invested in a single venture 
and the profits were so immense that the game 
was well worth the candle. Subsequent to the 
period of which I now write, Wilmington became 
the chief place of import and export. Large 
quantities of cotton were stored there, both on 
Government and private account ; and steam 
cotton presses were erected, but at this period 
Charleston possessed greater facilities and was 
perhaps quite as accessible. 

Our voyage to Nassau was safely accom- 
plished ; the vigilant look-out at the mast-head 
giving prompt notice of a speck on the horizon 
no larger than a gull's wing, when the course 
would be so changed as to lose sight of it. Two 
cases of yellow fever, both ending fatally, occurred 
among the passengers during the brief voyage, 
and we were quarantined on our arrival at Nassau. 
One of the sick men had been brought on deck 
and placed on a couch under the deck awning. 
As he had taken no nourishment for two or three 
days, our good captain directed that a bowl of 
soup should be prepared for him. The sick man 
sat up when the steaming bowl was presented to 
him ; seized it with both hands, drained it to the 



86 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCK ADE-KUNNEK. 

bottom, aud fell back dead. We had not been at 
anchor more than an hour when an outward- 
bound passing schooner hailed us and announced 
to our captain the death of his wife and child, 
whom he had left in good health only a few days 
before. 

As the epidemic on board the Kate had been 
contracted at Nassau, and still prevailed on shore, 
we were at a loss to understand why we should 
be refused " pratique " ; but it gave our little 
party no concern, as the town did not present an 
attractive or inviting appearance from the quar- 
antine ground ; nor were our unfavorable impres- 
sions removed upon a nearer acquaintance with it 
two or three months afterwards. But it was 
evident, that in spite of the epidemic, there was a 
vast deal of activity ashore and afloat. Cotton, 
cotton, everywhere ! 

Blockade-runners discharging it into lighters, 
tier upon tier of it, piled high upon the wharves, 
and merchant vessels, chiefly under the British 
flag, loading with it. Here and there in the 
crowded harbor might be seen a long, low, rakish- 
looking lead-colored steamer with short masts, 
and a convex forecastle deck extending nearly as 
far aft as the waist, aud placed there to enable the 



YELLOW FEVER. 87 

steamer to be forced through and not over a heavy 
head sea. These were the genuine hlockade- 
riinners, built for speed ; and some of them sur- 
vived all the desperate hazards of the war. 

The mulatto undertaker, who came on board 
to take the measure for coffins for the two pas- 
sengers who had died, did not leave us in a very 
cheerful state of mind, although he was in fine 
spirits, in the anticipation of a brisk demand for 
his stock in trade. 

Presenting each one of us with his card, he 
politely expressed the hope that we would give 
him our custom, if we needed anything in his 
line. Fortunately we had no occasion for his 
services. Just before leaving the ship he was 
invited to take a glass of brandy and water. 
Holding the glass in his hands which were yet 
stained with the coffin paint, he drank to our 
death, a toast to which Dyer, my Wilmington 
pilot, responded, " You shouldn't bury me, you 
d — d rascal, if I did die." 

With the assistance of the Confederate agcent 
on shore, we succeeded in promptly chartering a 
schooner for Cardenas and in provisioning her 
for the voyage; and in a day or two, were making 
our way across the Bahama Banks for Cuba. The 



88 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

agent had supplied us liberally with flesh, fowls, 
and ice; and the Banks gave us an abundance of 
fish, as the light winds fanned us slowly along, 
sotnetimes freshening into a moderate breeze, and 
occasionally dying away to a calm. The " chef 
(Tceuvre " of our mulatto skipper who was also cook, 
was conch soup, and he was not only an adept at 
cooking but also at catching the conch. In those 
almost transparent waters, the smallest object can 
be distinctly seen at the depth of three or four 
fathoms. When soup was to be prepared Cap- 
tain Dick would take his station at the bow " in 
puris naturalibus," watching intently for his prize. 
Overboard he would go like an arrow, and rising 
again to the surface, would pitch the conch (and 
sometimes one in each hand) on board. His son 
Napoleon Bonaparte, (who was first mate, stew- 
ard and half the starboard watch) would throw 
him a rope, and the old fellow would climb on 
board as the little craft sailed by, without an 
alteration in her course. 

t Major Ben. Ficklin was attacked with yellow 

fever just after we left Nassau ; but as we had no 

'' medicines on board he recovered. The medical 
fraternity might perhaps take a hint from tlie 
treatment of his case. Small lumps of ice were 

/ }U kuJLuJ ^ 

I [ L 1 



A STORY FOB THE MARINES. 89 

kept in a saucer beside him as he lay on a mattress 
under a deck awning, and by the constant use of 
it he allayed the raging thirst attending high 
fever. The " vis medicatrix naturae " accom- 
plished the rest. 

Having no books on board, we beguiled the 
time occasionally by telling stories as we lay 
under the shelter of the deck awning. One of 
my contributions was the following: Many 
officers of the nav}'- will remember it, and there 
are some who, like myself, will recollect the 
solemn earnestness with which the hero of it 
would narrate the facts, for he firmly believed it 
to the day of his death. At the time of its occur- 
rence he was enjoying a day's shooting at his home 
in Vermont. Becoming tired toward midday he 
took a seat on an old log in the woods. A few 
minutes afterwards, he saw an old bareheaded 
man, meanly clad, approaching, who seated him- 
self in silence at the other end of the log. The 
head of the stranger was bound with a white cloth 
and his eyes were fixed with a glassy stare upon 
Major B., who felt his blood run cold at the singu- 
lar apparition. At last the Major mustered up 
courage to ask the stranger what he wanted. The 
spectre replied " I am a dead man, and was buried 



90 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-KUNNEK. 

in the graveyard yonder (pointing as he spoke to 
a dilapidated enclosure a few yards distant). " The 
dogs," he continued, " have found their way into 
my shallow grave, and are gnawing my flesh. I can 
not rest until I am laid deeper in the ground." 
The Major used to assert that his tongue clove to 
the roof of his mouth ; but he managed to prom- 
ise the dead man that his Mashes should be com- 
plied with, when the apparition dissolved into the 
air. The Major went straight to some of the 
neighbors, and when he accompanied them to the 
grave, it was found in the condition described by 
its occupant. N. B. The Major was in the habit 
of carrying a " pocket pistol," which may have 
been overcharged upon this occasion ; he also 
belonged to the marines. 

We arrived at Cardenas after a week's voyage, 
and stopped there a day to recruit. During our 
stay we witnessed a curious scene. While we 
w^ere enjoying our cigars in the cool of the even- 
ing upon the "azotea " of our hotel, we saw a file 
of soldiers march up to a house directly opposite, 
and after repeated efforts to enter, they finally 
burst open the door; reappearing in a few mo- 
ments with seven or eight " coolies," who were 
apparently dead drunk, but in reality were stupe- 



THE COOLIES. 91 

tied with opium ; having met, by appointment, to 
" shuffle oif this mortal coil " after this character- 
istic fashion. One or two of them were quite 
beyond resuscitation, and the others were only 
prevented from sinking into fatal insensibility by 
severe flogging with bamboo caiies, and being 
forced to keep upon their feet. We were informed 
that suicide is very common among them in Cuba ; 
it being their last resort against misery and op- 
pression. Colonel Totten, the able civil engineer 
who constructed the railroad across the Isthmus 
of Panama, once gave a party of us a graphic ac- 
count of the mortality among a number of them, 
who had been employed by him in that pestilen- 
tial climate. Having no access to opium, and 
being deprived of knives, they resorted to the 
most ingenious modes of self destruction. Some- 
times they would wade out in the bay at low 
water, with a pole, which they would stick firml}'^ 
into the mud', and securely tying themselves to it, 
would wait for the risino- tide to drown them. 
Others would point a stake by charring it in the 
tire and impale themselves upon it. 

The evils of this system of labor cannot be 
truthfullj'- denied. Ignorant even of the nature 
of the contract which binds them to servitude, the 



92 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

coolies are driven in crowds to the ship which is to 
transport them to another hemisphere; and they 
endure all the horrors of the " middle passage " 
during their long voyage. 

When they arrive at their port of destination 
in the West Indies they are apprenticed for a 
term of years to the planters who need their ser- 
vices, and many of them succumb to the tropical 
climate and the severe labor in the cane Held. 
Many more seek a ready means of escape in death. 
The philanthropy of the civilized governments, 
which has been concentrated for many years upon 
efforts to liberate the " black man and brother," 
has never been exerted to rescue " John China- 
man " from a crueler thraldom and a harder lot. 

Taking the train for Havana, we passed 
through a very beautiful country, luxuriant with 
tropical verdure; the most conspicuous natural 
feature in the landscape being the graceful palm 
tree in its many varieties. We passed, too, many 
sugar plantations, the growing cane not at all un- 
like our own cornfields at home, while the long 
lines of negroes, at work with their hoes, in the 
crop, made the fields appear even more familiar 
and home-like. Our friends, the " darkies," evi- 
dently did not contemplate suicide. Sleek and 



FOR SOUTHAMPTON. 93 

well-fed) they were chattering like so many flocks 
of blackbirds. 

Arriving at Havana we took up our quarters 
at Mrs. B.'s hotel, and as my first object was to 
find Colonel Helm, the agent of the Confederate 
Government, I started for that purpose immedi- 
ately after our arrival. The Colonel had held 
the position of United States Consul before the 
war; and the residence then occupied by him was 
now tenanted by his successor. Being directed to 
this house by mistake, I was ushered in by the 
servant, and found myself face to face with Cap- 
tain S., the American Consul. We were not 
totally unacquainted, having met occasionally in 
bygone days, when both of us were in the United 
States ISTavy. The surprise was mutual, and the 
awkward silence was interrupted by my saying 
" Apparently I am in the wrong pew." " Evi- 
dently," he replied, and we parted without another 
word. 

"With the assistance of Colonel Helm our busi- 
ness in Havana was speedily transacted ; and pas- 
sage was engaged for the whole party on board a 
Spanish steamer bound for St. Thomas, thence 
to take passage by the British mail steamer for 
Southampton. 



94 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADK-RUNNER. 

The few days spent in Havana were pleas- 
antly passed in sight-seeing ; the afternoons being 
devoted to a ride upon the " paseo," and the even- 
ings closed by a visit to the noted " Dominica" 
the principal cafe of the city. There are many 
beautiful rides and drives in the environs, and the 
summer heats are tempered by the cool refresh- 
ing sea breeze which blows daily. That scourge 
of the tropics, yellow fever, is chief!}' confined to 
the cities of Cuba, the country being salubrious ; 
and it appears strange that this beautiful island 
has never been a favorite place of resort, during 
the winter, for invalids from the Northern States 
in search of an equable climate. It must be con- 
fessed that Havana itself possesses few atti'actions 
for the stranger and that its sanitary arrangements 
are execrable. In addition to the imperfect 
municipal regulations in this respect, all the sew- 
age of the city empties itself into the harbor, in 
which there is no current to sweep the decompos- 
ing matter into the Gulf Stream outside. The 
water in the harbor is sometimes so phosphores- 
cent at night that showers of liquid fire appear to 
drop from a boat's oars passing through it ; and 
the boat leaves a long lane of light in her wake. 

No stranger visiting Havana fails to see the 



THE PIKATE MARTI. 95 

spot in the cathedral held sacred as the tomb of 
Columbus. His remains were transferred here 
with great pomp, after resting many years in the 
city of San Domingo, whither they had been car- 
ried from Spain. 

The fish market and the " Tacon " theatre too, 
are well worth a visit. Both of them once be- 
longed to the same individual, the noted pirate 
"Marti," whom 1 have seen many a time, in the 
streets of Havana, after his reformation. He was 
then a venerable looking old gentleman 

" As mild a mannered man 
As ever scuttled ship or cut a throat." 

For a long time he had been chief of all the 
piratical bands that then infested the shores of 
Cuba. They plied their fearful trade with com- 
parative impunity ; the numerous lagoons on the 
coast, only accessible through tortuous and shal- 
low channels, and hidden by mangrove bushes, 
affording safe shelter ; while they could easily in- 
tercept many vessels passing through the narrow 
strait separating Cuba from Florida. They gave 
no quarter to man, woman, or child, and scuttled 
their prizes after taking from them what was most 
valuable. A ready sale was found for their pi under 
in Havana through accomplices there ; and their 



96 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

depredations upon commerce finally became so 
extensive that the United States Government 
fitted out an expedition against them. General 
Tacon, at that time Governor-General of Cuba, 
also prepared an expedition to operate against 
them. This fleet was on the eve of sailing. The 
night was dark and rainy. A stranger, wrapped 
in a cloak for disguise, watched the sentry on 
duty before the door of the palace from a hiding 
place near by ; and as the sentry turned his back 
for a moment or two from the door, the stranger 
slipped by him, undiscovered, and proceeded 
rapidly to the apartments of the Captain-General. 
His excellency was writing at a table ; and the 
stranger had opened the door and entered the 
room without being discovered. When the Gov- 
ernor-General raised his eyes and saw the cloaked 
figure standing silently before him, he stretched 
his hand toward a bell near him, but the stranger 
interposed. " Stop, your Excellency," he said, 
" I am here upon a desperate enterprise. I have 
come to deliver into your hands every pirate 
on the Cuban coast upon one condition ; a par- 
don for myself.'' '"' You shall have it," replied 
his excellency, " but who are you ? " ''I am 
Marti, and I rely upon the promise you have 



OUE PASSENGERS. 97 

given to me." The Governor-General repeated 
his assurances of immunity upon the prescribed 
conditions. Marti had laid his plans well, having 
appointed a place of rendezvous for the different 
bands before venturing upon his perilous expedi- 
tion. He acted as a guide to the force sent in 
pursuit, and every pirate was captured and after- 
wards "garroted." A large price had been set 
upon the head of Marti. This is the story as told 
by his contemporaries. For these distinguished 
services to the State the vile old reprobate was 
offered the promised reward. In lieu of it he 
asked for the monopoly of the sale of fish in 
Havana, which was granted to him; and the 
structure erected by him for a fish market is per- 
haps the finest of the sort in the world. He 
afterwards built the noble " Tacon " theatre, 
named after his benefactor, — and died in the 
odor of sanctity. 

We were not sorry when the day of our de- 
parture came. There was a motley crowd of pas- 
sengers on board the little steamer. " Paisanos " 
wearing broad brimmed sombreroes and in pic- 
turesque costume ; " Padres " in their long gowns 
and shovel hats; pretty "senoritas" with hair 
plaited down their backs, and officers on their way 



98 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

to join the array in the field in San Domingo. 
Bnt every one was amiable and disposed to be 
companionable. Most of them were aware of the 
fact that there was a state of war between the 
North and the Sonth ; and their sympathies were 
altogether with our side ; for no earthly reason, 
probably, except that they entertained the blind 
hatred against the " Norte Americanos" so pre- 
valent among the Latin race on this continent, 
and supposed the people of the South to be of 
different origin.* 

We were half poisoned, and wholly saturated 
with garlic, while on board the little steamer; 
and men, women and children smoked incessantly. 
Our clever artist, Johnny T., drew a capital sketch 
of a portly old lady whose habit it was, after 
every meal, to take from her side pocket an oil 
skin bundle of huge cigars — evidently " planta- 
tions," and made to order. Selecting one, she 
would strike a light with her " matchero " and 
-begin to puif away like a furnace. "When fairly 

* The educated Cubans must be exonerated from this 
charge. Many of this class have been at the schools and 
colleges in the United States ; and admire our republican 
institutions. They are even now, and have been for years, 
maintaining a desperate struggle for the establishment 
of these institutions among themselves. 



CAPTAIN FRY. 99 

alight, she would dispose of the smoke in some 
mysterious inner receptacle, whence it would issue 
in a minute or more, from nose, ejes, ears, and 
even through the pores of her mahogany-colored 
skin, as it appeared to us. 

We touched at many little ports, all of them 
very pretty and picturesque ; little quiet basins 
of blue water, with the houses scattered about 
along the hill sides, and half hidden by foliage ; 
the white surf thundering outside, and the surface, 
inside, glassy smooth. Our last port in Cuba was 
Santiago, since made memorable as the scene of 
the murder of the gallant and unfortunate Fry, 
and his companions in misfortune. Should these 
lines ever meet the eye of any of his old friends 
and comrades in the United States Navy, they 
will bear witness, that a brave and noble gentle- 
man was there cruelly done to death. He had 
Iqst everthing by our war, and dire poverty, with 
the responsibility of a family to support, forced 
him to the desperate venture of running the 
blockade in Cuba. Morally he was not more 
criminal than the British naval officers, who 
engaged in the same hazardous pursuit during 
our struggle. 



CHAPTER VI. 

San Domingo. — The Island of Hayti and its Inhabitants. — 
St. Thomas. — General Santa Anna. — The Mail Steamer 
Atrato. — Arrival at Southampton. — English Scenery. — 
The Major fails. — The Giraffe Purchased, — A Claim 
against the Confederate Government. — The Hon. J. M. 
Mason. — Credit of the Confederate Government Abroad. 
— An improper Agent. — Captain Bullock. — The Giraffe 
Ready for Sea. — Glasgow. — Our last Dinner. — Our 
Scotch Landlady and Head Waiter. — We part with the 
Major. — Hot Punch and Scotch Babies.— A Reminis- 
cence. 

"TTT"E touched at the little port of San Domingo 
in the island of Dominica on our way to 
St. Thomas ; and lay at anchor there long enough 
to allow the passengers to visit the shore for a 
few hours. It was once a prosperous town, but 
is now in ruins, and hovels stand upon the very 
sites where once arose magnificent palaces ; for it 
was at one time the chief seat of the Spanish 
Empire in the New World, and the place of res- 
idence of Columbus himself. Cortez, the Con- 
queror of Mexico, once lived in its vicinity. The 
cathedral still stands entire and is still used as a 



HAYTI AND ITS INHABITANTS. 101 

place of worship, but the walls of the convent 
attached to the cathedral have yielded to the 
corroding influences of time and the climate, 
and are crumbling into ruins. The palace of 
Diego Columbus, the son of the immortal ad- 
miral, who to Castile and Leon gave a new 
world, is still pointed out, but that, too, is a 
mere shell, the roof having entirely disappeared. 
The population is a wretched mongrel indolent 
race, and there is little to do there. The whole 
island, indeed, long ago fell from its high estate, 
and everywhere thorns and brambles grow where 
once there were well cultivated plantations. 
I had previously visited many portions of the 
island, and saw wherever I went, the same 
evidences of misrule and indolence ; but, the 
negroes, who hold the western portion of it or 
Hayti, are physically, at least, a finer race of 
people than the degenerate, puny hybrids of 
the eastern part, who have " miscegenated " to 
an extent that would satisfy the most enthusi- 
astic admirer of our sable "friends and fellow- 
citizens." I have never seen finer specimens of 
stalwart manhood than in " Solouque's " army 
years ago, although the " tout ensemble " of it 
was sufficiently ludicrous; the officers being 



102 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

mounted on ponies a little bigger than goats ; and 
some of them wearing no apparel, except a coat 
and cocked liat ; with spurs on their naked heels ; 
and the ragged half-naked privates chewing one 
end of a big stick of sugar cane (their only rations) 
as they marched. Upon one occasion, an officer 
of the ship to which I was attached, had died at 
sea, and was buried at Gonaives, with military 
honors. The drummer and fifer of our guard of 
marines were little fellows of twelve or thirteen 
years of age. The black military commandant 
of the district was so captivated with their 
appearance, as they marched at the head of the 
funeral procession, that he " corralled " all the 
little "niggers" within his district the next 
day, to select from them a few drummers and 
fifers ; and I believe there would have been a 
" casus belli " if our little musicians had been sent 
ashore, for I doubt if he could have resisted the 
temptation to kidnap them. 

We arrived at St. Thomas two days before the 
mail-steamer was due and took up our quarters at 
the only hotel of which the town boasted, but it 
was an excellent one. The black steward, who 
superintended the staflf of waiters, was a notice- 
able personage, speaking several languages with 



GENERAL SANTA ANNA. 103 

correctness and fluency. "We appreciated the 
" cuisine " of tlie hotel, after so long a diet upon 
garlic and rancid sweet oil ; and were content 
to y)ass the greater part of the time at the " Ice 
house," a refreshment saloon conducted by a Ver- 
mont " Yankee," but who had been so long abroad 
as to have become cosmopolitan in his ideas and 
opinions. The residence of General Santa Anna, 
the old Mexican hero, then in exile, was pointed 
out tons; a handsome building crowning a hill 
overlooking the town ; and we were informed 
that the old gentleman was still passionately fond 
of his fiivorite amusement, cock-lighting. 

" E'en in our ashes live their wonted firea." 

We sailed for Southampton in the British mail 
steamer " Atrato," the best appointed and most 
comfortable ship on board which I have ever taken 
passage. She was a paddle-wheel steamer of the 
first class, belonging to the Cunards, who boast 
that not a life or a mail has ever been lost in their 
line. There was a very good band of musicians 
on board, and the weather during the whole voy- 
age was so pleasant that dancing could be en- 
joyed. The screw steamers, now so rapidly super- 
seding the old " side wheelers," possess many 
advantages, it is true, but the superior comfort 



104 NARRATIVE OF A BLOOKADE-EUNNEK. 

of the passengers is not to be reckoned among 
them. 

Arriving at Southampton, we took the first 
train for London. What specially attracted the 
admiration of our little party as the train sped 
along, was the exquisite beauty of the country. 
Almost every view would have furnished a sub- 
ject for a landscape painter. "We saw vast lawns 
green as emeralds, with clumps of fine trees here 
and there, and dotted with cattle and sheep ; and 
would frequently catch a glimpse of castles and 
country seats beautifully ornamented with parks 
and gardens. It was a series of pictures of rural 
repose and quiet, embellished with perfect taste. 
Even the thatched cottages, with their trim 
hedges, their little flower gardens, and the vines 
covering the outside, were most picturesque. 
What a striking contrast with the log cabins and 
" snake " fences in our own loved " Dixie ! " 

The Secretary of War, in his instructions to 
me, had stated that Major Ficklln, who had lately 
returned from Europe, had been struck by the 
qualities of a steamer which, in the Major's opin- 
ion, was admirably adapted for blockade-running. 
She was called the Giraffe, a Clyde built iron 
steamer, and plied as a packet between Glasgow 



THE IRON STEAMER GIRAFFE. 105 

and Belfast. She was a side-wheel of light draft, 
very strongly built and reputed to be of great 
speed. She possessed the last quality, it is true, 
but not to such a degree as represented, for her 
best rate of speed while under my command never 
exceeded thirteen and a half knots. Under the 
same instructions I was to examine the ship and if 
the inspection proved favorable, the Major was to 
negotiate for the purchase. I have always believed 
that some informal arrangement had been made 
between the parties concerned during the Major's 
late visit to England. However that may have 
been, we found, on our arrival in London that the 
Giraffe had been sold within a day or two, to a 
company about to engage in blockade-running. 
The manager of this company was Mr. Alexander 
Collie, who subsequently made such immense ven- 
tures, and became so well known in connection 
Math blockade-running. The Major did not lose 
heart upon learning that the Giraffe had changed 
hands, but all his efforts to get possession of the 
vessel were unsuccessful, Mr. C. refusing to part 
with her upon any terms. As a last resort the 
Major, whose resources were almost inexhaustible, 
suggested that I should make an effort. All diffi- 
culties instantly vanished, when I informed Mr. 
6* 



106 NAKEATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-KUNNER. 

Collie that I held a commission in the Confeder- 
ate States Navy, and had been sent abroad to buy 
a ship for the Confederate Government. He 
instantly agreed to transfer possession for the 
amount paid by him, £32,000, stipulating, how- 
ever, that the steamer should not be sold, during 
the war, to private parties without the consent of 
the company represented by him, who were to 
have the refusal of her. Although these condi- 
tions conflicted with certain arrangements made 
between the Confederate Secretary of War and 
Major Ficklin, the latter assented to them ; and 
the Giraffe became the property of the Confeder- 
ate States Government. The necessary alterations 
to tit her for a blockade-runner were ac once com- 
menced. Her beautiful saloon and cabins were 
dismantled and bulkheads constructed to separate 
the quarters for officers and men from the space 
to be used for stowage of a cargo. Purchases 
of arms, clothing, etc., were to be made; and 
after much disgust and vexation of spirit, I em- 
ployed Mr. Collie, who was a sJirewd and practi- 
cal man of business, to make the purchases on 
commission, while I found more congenial em- 
ployment. Long afterwards, when I got a friend 
in Richmond to prepare my accounts for the audi- 



HON. J. M. MASON. 107 

tor, he proved conclusively from the vouchers 
(which I was careful to preserve) that the Confed- 
erate Government owed me £1,000 ; but I never 
applied for the " little balance " and now it is 
buried with the " lost cause." 

The Hon. J. M. Mason, representing the Con- 
federate Government, was living very quietly and 
unostentatiously in London ; and although not 
officially recognized, he was the frequent guest of 
the nobility and gentry of the kingdom. He 
looked, so I thought, the equal of any peer in the 
land, for he was of a noble presence ; and he pos- 
sessed that rare tact of adapting himself to almost 
any company in which he might be thrown. We 
always met with a cordial welcome from him ; and 
it was very interesting to hear his comments upon 
the government and the social life of England. 
I am sure the contrast between the conservatism, 
stability and respect for precedents and laws, so 
manifest everj^where in that favored land, and the 
rapidly growing disregard of all these obligations 
in our own country, struck him most forcibly. 
He closed a long eulogy of England upon one 
occasion by remarking, " This is the best Govern- 
ment upon the earth — except of cotirse oxir ownJ'^ 
He, in common witli otliers, who had access to 



108 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNEK. 

private sources of information, believed, at that 
time, that the Confederacy would soon be recog- 
nized by England and France; and it appears 
from evidence made public since the close of the 
Win; that their hopes were by no means ground- 
less; the Emperor of the French having proposed 
joint recognition to the British government; but 
all efforts in that direction were thwarted by the 
" Exeter Hall " influence. 

We saw of course many of the sights and 
curiosities of London. One pleasant day of lei- 
sure, after a walk to see that magniflcent pile, the 
Houses of Parliament, I was sauntering along, 
without thought of where I was going, until I 
found myself in a perfect labyrinth of filthy 
streets and tumble down buildings and presenting 
all the othei" evidences of vice and poverty ; the 
very neighborhood in short of " Tom Allalone's " 
lair. Fortunately I met a policeman who guided 
me into a respectable part of the city. He told 
me that I was about to invade the worst section 
of London, almost within a stone's throw of the 
Houses of Parliament. 

It is astonishing how frequently Dickens' 
characters and descriptions come into the memory 
of a stranger visiting London. No one, who has 



FURNISHING SUPPLIES. 109 

ever seen them, will forget the houses in Chan- 
cery. Situated as some of them are, in the busi- 
est and most crowded parts of the city, and mould- 
ering away from disuse and neglect, the idea con- 
stantly presented itself to me as I passed one of 
them, " there is more of the Jarndyce property," 
and I never saw an " old clo' " man that the ras- 
cally Fagin and his hopeful proteges did not rise 
to my recollection. How wonderful is the power 
of genius which can not only " give to airy noth- 
ings a local habitation and a name," but iix them 
as realities in our memory forever ! 

At that period the credit of the Confederate 
Government abroad was excellent ; and either 
from love of " filthy lucre " or of the cause, some 
of the best firms in England were ready and eager 
to furnish supplies. It appeared quite practicable 
to send in machinery, iron plates, etc., for building 
small vessels of war ; and several firms offered to 
engage in the enterprise, receiving Confederate 
bonds in payment. These parties went to the 
trouble of preparing models with plans and speci- 
fications ; all of which were afterwards duly sub- 
mitted to the incompetent Secretary of the Con- 
federate States Navy ; but it resulted in nothing. 
A considerable amount of the Government funds 



110 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

was lavished abroad upon the building of vessels 
which could by no possibility be got to sea under 
the Confederate flag while the war lasted ; and to 
make matters worse, the Secretary'- had sent to 
England, as special agent for building or buying 
vessels, a man well known throughout the king- 
dom to be bankrupt in fame and fortune, who 
was hawTving our government securities about the 
country at a ruinous rate of discount ; and who in- 
flicted much loss and injury upon the Confederate 
Government in various ways during his connec- 
tion with it. The management of naval affairs 
abroad should have been left in the hands of Cap- 
tain Bullock, the eflicient agent of the Navy 
Department in England, who showed admirable 
tact in the conduct of affairs entrusted to him. 

"We stopped at the Burlington Hotel during 
our stay in London. There was none of the glare 
and glitter of an American hotel about this highly 
respectable establishment, no crowded " table d'- 
hote " where the guests scrambled for food, and 
the waiters must be bribed to wait upon them ; no 
gorgeous bar-room where the clinking of glasses 
resounds day and night, and no hotel clerk, with 
hair parted in the middle, who deems it a con- 
descension to be civil. Everything was staid, 



THE GIRAFFE KEADT. Ill 

quiet, orderly, and it must be added, rather slow 
and expensive. As an illustration of the isola- 
tion of the boarders in an English hotel, it may be 
mentioned that two Southern ladies, acquaint- 
ances of a member of our party, were staying at 
the Burlington at the same time with ourselves, 
without our knowledge of the fact. Meals were 
usually served in the coffee room, the regular 
dinner consisting of a "joint," and one or two 
dishes of vegetables, any dish not included in this 
very plain bill of fare being furnished at an extra 
charge. Including fees to servants, etc., which are 
regularly entered in the bill, one may live very 
comfortably in an English hotel for five dollars 
a day, but not for less. 

In thirty days from our arrival in England, 
the Giraffe was reported laden and ready for sea. 
Besides the purchases made through my agency, 
a large quantity of lithographic material had been 
bought by Major Ficklin for the Treasury De- 
partment ; and twenty-six lithographers were 
engaged for the Confederate Government. 

We took the train for Glasgow as soon as we 
were notified that tlie Giraffe was ready for sea ; 
parting from our London friends with mutual 
good wishes and regrets. 



112 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER 

There is a striking contrast between the 
scenery in the south of England, and that in the 
northern portion. As we approached the "iron 
country " even the fresh green woods disappeared, 
and for many miles on our way we could see 
tall chimneys pouring forth huge volumes of 
smoke, and we passed numerous coal pits, while 
the whole busy population seemed to be begrimed 
with coal dust and iron filings. As we approached 
Glasgow the scenery again changed to broad and 
well cultivated plains in the immediate vicinity 
of the city. Its trade with Virginia and the 
AVest Indies laid the foundation of its present 
prosperity. To this day there are many descend- 
ants in Kichmond of the old Scotch merchants 
who formerly traded in tobacco between that port 
and Glasgow, but of late years it has become 
chiefly noted for its iron ships and steamers, which 
are unsurpassed ; and it is now, I believe, the 
second city in the United Kingdom in point of 
wealth and population. The Clyde, naturally an 
insignificant stream, has been deepened by art 
until it is now navigable for the largest vessels. 

We were so busily occupied, during our brief 
stay, as to be able to see ver}^ little of the city or 
its environs. The city itself was enveloped in a 



LIQUOR IN THREE KINGDOMS. 113 

fog during the whole time ; its normal atmos- 
pheric condition, I presume ; for once when we 
made a visit to the romantic " Brigg of Allan," 
we passed beyond the suburbs into a clear bright 
atmosphere; and on our return in the after- 
noon, we found the pall hanging over the city 
as usual. 

We would have been delighted to take the 
advice of our hostess to see more of the land 
immortalized by Scott and Burns. " Ech, Sirs," 
she said, " but ye suld gae doon to the Heelands 
to see Scotland " ; from which remark it may be 
reasonably inferred that she was a "Heeland" 
woman. We were painfully struck by the 
number of paupers and intoxicated females in the 
streets ; and some of our party saw, for the first 
time in their lives, white women shoeless, and 
shivering in scanty rags, which scarcely concealed 
their nakedness, with the thermometer at the 
freezing point. Whitaker's British Almanac pub- 
lishes, statistically^ the drinking propensities of 
the population of the three kingdoms, from which 
it appears that there were consumed per head 
in 1869— 

Malt 1,989 bushels in England. 

Spirits 591 gallons " 



114 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

Malt 509 bushels in Ireland. 

Spirits 873 gallons " 

Malt 6G9 bushels in Scotland. 

Spirits 1,576 gallons " 

The inventory taken on board the Giraffe, 
after she was turned over to the Confederate 
Government, showed over two hundred pitchers 
and ladles for hot punch ! We came to the con- 
clusion that Scotch babies were weaned upon this 
beverage, for the law forbade the carrying of tliat 
number of grown passengers by the Giraffe. 

Having secured the services of a sailing 
captain, British laws not allowing the clearance 
of a vessel under the British flag, except under 
the command of one who holds a certificate of 
competence, we sent our luggage on board one 
evening, and sat down to our last meal on British 
soil. There were many guests at the table ; 
several of our friends having come on from 
London to see us take our departure, and toasts 
were duly and enthusiastically drank to the suc- 
cess of "the cause." The privileged old head- 
waiter, dressed in professional black, (and ridic- 
ulously like an old magpie as he hopped about the 
room with his head on one side,) " whose custom 
it was of an afternoon " to get drunk, but always 



- THE RETURN. 115 

with Scotch decorum, nodded approval ot the 
festivities, until, overcome by his feehugs (or 
Usquebaugh) he was obhged to withdraw. 

We bade adieu to our friends late at night, 
and went on board early next morning. In ad- 
dition to the Scotch artisans already mentioned, 
there were several young gentlemen who were 
about to return home in the Giraffe. These 
youths had been prosecuting their studies in Ger- 
many. They were now about to return home to 
enter the army. Two of them, Messrs. Price and 
Blair, are now Professors in Virginia Colleges, 
after doing their duty as brave and faithful sol- 
diers during the war. It is well known that 
many thousands of young men, the flower of the 
South, served as privates during the whole of our 
struggle for independence ; and it is equally well 
known that they never flinched from dangers or 
privations. 

Many years ago an expedition under the com- 
mand of Lieutenant Strain, of the United States 
Navy, was sent to make a reconnoissance across 
the Isthmus of Darien. The party lost their way 
among the morasses and almost impenetrable 
forests, and endured frightful hardships. But the 
oflicers survived, while many of the men sue- 



116 NAKKATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-KUNNEK. 

curabed to fatigue and famine. During our war, 
the youths of gentle blood and tender nurture dis- 
played equally wonderful endurance. 

We parted from the Major on the wharf be- 
fore going on board. He promised to meet us in 
Richmond ; preferring himself to return via. 
New York ; and we did not doubt his ability to 
keep his promise ; for he seemed to experience no 
difficulty in passing and repassing through the 
lines at his pleasure during the war. He was in 
Washington, indeed, at the time when President 
Lincoln was assassinated, and was arrested as an 
accomplice in that great crime. His numerous 
friends who had so often suffered from his prac- 
tical jokes, would have been pleased no doubt, to 
see how he appreciated the jest, when his head 
was tied up in a feather pillow to prevent him 
from defrauding the law by committing suicide in 
the murderer's cell. The shrill sound of a whistle 
was heard in the theatre just before Booth com- 
mitted the act ; and when the Major was arrested 
in his bed at the hotel a few hours afterwards, a 
whistle was found in his pocket. It was damaging 
evidence, but he escaped prosecution as an accom- 
plice by adopting the advice once given by Mr. 
Toney Weller, and proving an alibi. 



CHAPTEK yil. 

Voyage to Madeira. — A Capital Sea-boat. — The Island 
Ponies. — Mr. B. and his daughters. — Voyage to St. 
John's, Porto Rico. — Run across the Bahama Banks. — 
Nassau during the War. — High Wages and Low Char- 
acters. — Crew re-shipped. — Failure to enter Charles- 
ton. — The " Lump." — A Narrow Escape. — The Scotch 
Lithographers and their work. — Crossing the Bar. — 
Transfer of the Giraffe to the Confederate Govern- 
ment. — She becomes the " R. E. Lee." — The Major ful- 
fills his promise, but fails in his object. 

/'^UR voj'age to Madeira was uneventful with 
^^ the exception of a heavy gale of wind, dur- 
ing which the Giraffe showed her superb qualities 
as a sea boat. 

We were hospitably entertained during our 
three days' stay at Funchal. The process of coal- 
ing ship there is a tedious one, the port being an 
open roadstead, and there are no wharves. With 
a moderate breeze blowing on or along shore, 
all communication is interrupted. Loading and 
unloading ships is accomplished by lighters ; and 
passengers are carried to and fro in surf boats 
which are expertly managed by their crews. The 



118 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RDNNER. 

vines had failed for several years previous to our 
visit ; but the inhabitants had substituted tlie 
cultivation of vegetables for which thej found a 
market on the continent and in England ; and the 
numerous cultivated patches along the mountain 
sides presented a very pretty appearance from the 
anchorage — laid out as they were with seemingly 
geometrical precision. The hardy little horses 
could be hired very cheaply, and the justly 
extolled natural beauties of the island in the 
vicinity of Funchal were fully explored. The 
greater portion of it is quite inaccessible except on 
foot, but the tough little native ponies which are 
as sure footed as goats perform wonderful feats in 
the way of climbing, and are quite equal to the 
double duty of carrying their riders, and dragging 
along their owner who holds by one hand to the 
pony's tail while he occasionally " progs " him 
with a sharp stick held in the other hand. This 
island is, as every one knoAvs, of volcanic origin ; 
although its volcanoes are now either dormant or 
extinct; audits lofty vertical cliffs rise abruptly 
from the ocean. The highest peak in the island 
is more than six thousand feet above the level of 
the sea. The disintegrated lava forms the best soil 
in the world for the grape ; and the south side of 



THE BAHAMA BANKS. 119 

tlie island, from its more favorable exposure to tlie 
sun, is supposed to produce the more delicately 
flavored wine. Wonderful stories are told of the 
exquisite sense of taste possessed by the profes- 
sional " tasters" who never swallow the wine. So 
soon as they indulge in this luxury they lose the 
faculty of nice discrimination. 

We slept securely under the " Stars and 
Stripes,'' our hotel being kept by a "Yankee" 
who hoisted the flag upon his house-top every 
day, and was not so cosmopolitan, perhaps 1 
should say not so politic, as our St. Thomas friend. 
He soothed his conscience for associating with 
"rebels," and avenged himself by charging us 
heavily, and, no doubt, congratulated himself after 
our departure, upon having "spoiled the Egyp- 
tians." 

We received many courtesies from Mr. B., an 
English gentleman, and his family. Our suscepti- 
ble young men lost their hearts with his seven beau- 
tiful daughters, all of them fair, tall, and statel3^ 

As soon as the Giraffe was coaled we took our 
departure for St. John's, Porto Rico. A sea-voy- 
age has elsewhere been described in two lines. 

" Sometimes we ship a sea, 
Sometimes we see a ship." 



120 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

The monotony of our voyage was rarely dis- 
turbed by either of these incidents. 

After two days' detention at St. John's for the 
purpose of coaling we got under way for that 
haven of blockade-runners, El Dorado of adventur- 
ers, and paradise of wreckers and darkies — tilth}^ 
Nassau. In making our way to this port we had 
a foretaste of some of the risks and dangers to be 
subsequently encountered. In order to economize 
coal and to lessen the risk of capture I determined 
to approach Nassau by the " Tongue of Ocean," 
a deep indentation in the sea bounded on the 
south b}' the Bahama Banks ; and to reach the 
" Tongue " it was necessary to cross the whole 
extent of the " Banks " from Elbow Key light- 
house. On arriving off the light-house we were 
disappointed in our hope of finding a pilot, and 
no alternative was left but to attempt the transit 
without one, as we had not a sufiicient supply of 
coal to enable us to pursue any other course. Our 
charts showed twelve feet water all over that por- 
tion of the Banks and the Girafi'e was drawing 
eleven feet ; but the inumerable black dots on the 
chart showed where the dangerous coral heads 
were nearly "awash." On the other hand, we 
knew there could be no " swell " in such an ex- 



INTO NASSUA. 121 

panse of shallow water ; so waving adieu to the 
keeper of the light-house we pointed the Giraffe's 
bow for the Banks, which showed ahead of us 
smooth as a lake, and almost milk white. It was 
early in the morning when we started, and the 
distance to be run to the " Tongue " was only 
sixty or seventy miles. Taking my station in the 
fore-rigging I could easily direct the helmsman 
how to avoid those treacherous black spots. It 
was the Florida Reef over again, and my experi- 
ence in surveying that coast stood us in good stead 
here. We were so fortunate, indeed, as never 
once to touch the bottom although the lead fre- 
quently showed less than twelve feet ; and about 
3 o'clock in the afternoon the welcome blue water 
showed itself ahead. It would have been impos- 
sible to make the transit in cloudy weather; but 
the day was fortunately clear. Occasionally when 
a "trade" cloud would approach the sun, we 
would slow down or stop until it had passed by, 
when the black patches would again be visible. 
The iron plates of the Giraffe would have 
been pierced as completely as if made of paste- 
board, if she had come into contact even 
at low speed with those jagged coral heads. 
Before dark we were out of danger, and 



122 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

next morning came to anchor in the harbor of 
Nassau. 

Nassau was a busy place during the M'ar ; the 
chief depot of supplies for the Confederacy, and 
the port to which most of the cotton was shipped. 
Its proximity to the ports of Charleston and Wil- 
mington gave it superior advantages, -vrhile it was 
easily accessible to the swift, light draft blockade- 
runners ; all of which carried Bahama bank pilots 
who knew every channel, while the United States 
cruisers having no Bank pilots and drawing more 
water were compelled to keep the open sea. Oc- 
casionally one of the latter would heave to out- 
side the harbor and send in a boat to communi- 
cate with the American Consul ; but their usual 
cruising ground was off Abaco Light. Nassau is 
situated upon the island of New Providence, one 
of the Bahamas, and is the chief town and capital 
of the group. All of the islands are surrounded 
by coral reefs and shoals, through which are chan- 
nels more or less intricate. That wonderful 
" Eiver in the Sea" — the Gulf Stream — Mdiich 
flows between the Florida coast and the Bahama 
Banks is only forty miles broad between the near- 
est opposite points; but there is no harbor on 
that part of the Florida coast. The distance from 



HIGH WAGES AlsD LOW CHAHACTEKS. 123 

Charleston to Nassau is about five hundred miles, 
and from Wilmington about five hundred and 
fifty. Practically, however, they were equi-dis- 
tant because blockade-runners bound from either 
port, in order to evade the cruisers lying in wait 
ofi" Abaco, were compelled to give that head-land 
a wide berth, by keeping well to the eastward of 
it. But in avoiding Scylla they ran the risk of 
striking upon Charybdis ; for the dangerous reefs 
of Eleuthera were fatal to many vessels. The chief 
industries of the islands before the war were the 
collection and exportation of sponges, corals, etc., 
and wrecking, to which was added, during the 
war, the lucrative trade of picking and stealing. 
The inhabitants may be classed as " amphibious," 
and are known among sailors by the generic name 
of " Conchs." The wharves of Nassau, during 
the war, were always piled high with cotton, and 
huge warehouses were stored full of supplies for 
the Confederacy. The harbor was crowded at 
times, with lead-colored, short masted, rakish look- 
ing steamers ; the streets alive with bustle and 
activity during day time and swarming with 
drunken revellers by night. Every nationality on 
earth, nearly, was represented there ; the high 
wages ashore and afloat, tempting adventurers of 



124 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

the baser sort; and the prospect of enormous 
profits offering equally strong inducements to 
capitalists of a speculative turn. The monthly 
wages of a sailor on board a blockade-runner was 
one hundred dollars in gold, and fifty dollars 
bounty at the end of a successful trip ; and this 
could be accomplished under favorable circum- 
stances in seven days. The captains and pilots 
sometimes received as much as five thousand dol- 
lars besides perquisites. All of the cotton ship- 
ped on account of the Confederate Government 
was landed and transferred to a mercantile firm 
in Nassau, who received a commission for assum- 
ing ownership. It was then shipped under the 
British or other neutral flag to Europe. The 
firm is reputed to have made many thousands of 
dollars by these commissions. But, besides the 
cotton shipped by the Confederate Government, 
many private companies and individuals were en- 
gaged in the trade; and it was computed (so large 
were the gains) that the owner could afford to lose 
a vessel and cargo after two successful voyages. 
Three or four steamers were wholly owned by the 
Confederate Government ; a few more were owned 
by it in part, and the balance were private prop- 
erty ; but these last were compelled to carry out, 



RUNNING INTO WILMINGTON. 125 

as portion of their cargo, cotton on government 
account, and to bring in supplies. On board the 
government steamers, the crew which was ship- 
ped abroad, and under the articles regulating the 
" merchant marine," received the same wages as 
were paid on board the other blockade-runners ; 
but the captains and subordinate officers of the 
government steamers who belonged to the Con- 
federate States Navj, and the pilots, who were 
detailed from the army for this service, received 
the pay in gold of their respective grades. 

As the Giraffe's crew was shipped only for the 
voyage to Nassau "and a market," it was neces- 
gary to cancel the engagement of those who did 
not wish to follow her fortunes further. A few of 
them preferring their discharge were paid off, and 
provided with a passage to England ; and the 
balance signed articles for Havana "and a mar- 
ket." Everything being in readiness, we sailed 
on December 26th, 1862. Having on board a 
Charleston pilot, as well as one for Wilmington, I 
had not determined, on sailing, which port to at- 
tempt ; but having made the land near Charleston 
bar during thick weather on the night of the 28th, 
our pilot was afraid to venture further. We made 
an offing, therefore, before daylight; and cir- 



126 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

cnmstances favoring Wilmington, we approached 
tlie western bar on the night of December 29tli. 
"VVe had been biding our time since twelve o'clock 
that day close in to the shore about forty miles 
southwest of the bar and in the deep bay formed 
by the coast between Wilmington and Charleston. 
The weather had been so clear and the sea so 
smooth that we had communicated with the Con- 
federate pickets at several points along the coast ; 
and no sail was visible even from aloft until about 
three o'clock in the afternoon, when a cruiser hove 
in sight to the north and east. As she was coast- 
ing along the land and approaching us we turned 
the Giraffe's bow away from her, and got up 
more steam, easily preserving our distance, as the 
stranger was steaming at a low rate of speed. A 
little while before sunset the strange steamer wore 
round, and we immediately followed her example, 
gradually lessening the distance between us, and 
an hour or more after dark we had the pleasure of 
passing inside of her at anchor off New River In- 
let. She was evidently blockading that harbor, 
and had run down the coast to reconnoitre. Be- 
fore approaching the bar I had adopted certain 
precautions against disaster which I ever after- 
wards followed. Any one who showed an. open 



THE LUMP. 127 

liffht when we were near the fleet was liable to 
the penalt}^ of death upon the spot ; a cool, steady 
leadsman was stationed on each C|uarter to give 
the sonndings ; a staunch old quartermaster took 
the wheel and a hedge, bent to a stout hawser, 
was slung at each quarter. All lights were extin- 
guished ; the fire-room hatch covered over with a 
tarpaulin ; and a hood fitted over the binnacle, 
with a small circular opening for the helmsman to 
see the compass through the aperture. 

About ten o'clock we passed inside the first 
ship of the blockading fleet, about five miles 
outside the bar; and four or five others appeared 
in quick succession as the Giraffe was cutting 
rapidly through the smooth water. We were 
going at full speed when, with a shock that threw 
nearly every one on board off his feet, the steamer 
was brought up "all standing" and hard and 
fast aground ! The nearest blockader was fearfully 
close to us, and all seemed lost. We had struck 
upon " the Lump," a small sandy knoll two or 
three miles outside the bar with deep water on 
both sides of it. That knoll was the "rock 
ahead" during the whole war, of the blockade- 
runners, for it was impossible in the obscurity of 
night to judge accurately of the distance to the 



128 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCK ADE-RUNNEB. 

coast, and there were no landmarks or bearings 
which would enable them to steer clear of it. 
Many a ton of valuable freight has been launched 
overboard there ; and, indeed, all the approaches 
to Wilmington are paved as thickly with valuables 
as a certain place is said to be with good intentions. 
The first order was to lower the two quarter 
boats: in one of them were packed the Scotch lith- 
ographers who were safely landed ; and a kedge 
was lowered into the other with orders to the offi- 
cer in charge to pull off shore and drop the kedge. 
The risk, though imminent, was much reduced after 
our panic stricken passengers had got fairly away 
from the ship ; and the spirits of officers and crew 
rose to meet the emergency. The glimmer of a 
light, or an incautiously loud order would bring a 
broadside from that frowning battery crashing 
through our bulwarks. So near the goal (I 
thought) and now to fail ! but I did not despair. 
To execute the order to drop the kedge, it was 
necessary to directly approach one of the blockad- 
ers, and so near to her did they let it go, that the 
officer of the boat was atVaid to call out that it had 
been dropped ; and muffled the oars as he returned 
to make his report. Fortunately, the tide was ris- 
ing. After twenty or thirty minutes of trying 



A NARROW ESCAPE. 129 

suspense, the order was given " to set taut on the 
hawser," and our pulses beat high as the stern of 
the Giraffe slowly and steadily turned seaward. 
In fact, she swung round upon her stem as upon 
a pivot. As soon as the hawser " trended " right 
astern, the engineer was ordered to " back hard," 
and in a very few revolutions of the wheels the 
ship slid rapidly off into deep water. The 
hawser was instantly cut, and we headed directly 
for the bar channel. "We were soon out of danger 
from the blockading fleet ; but as we drew in 
toward Fort Caswell, one of the look-outs on the 
wheel-house (who, like the thief in Shakespeare, 
" feared each bush an ofiicer ") would every now 
and then say to the pilot, "that looks like a boat 
on the star-board bow, Mr. D." " There are 
breakers on the port-bow, Mr. D." And at 
last " There is a rock right ahead, Mr. D ;" at which 
last remark, D., losing all patience, exclaimed, 
" G-d A-y, man, there isn't a rock as big as my 
hat in the whole d — d State of North Carolina." 
A too sweeping assertion, but quite true as 
applied to the coast. We passed safely over the 
bar ; and steaming up the river, anchored off 
Sinithville a little before, midnight of the 29th of 
December, 1862. 



130 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCK ADE-RUNNEK. 

The Scotch lithographers found abundant 
employment in Richmond, as the Government 
" paper mills " were running busily during the 
whole war : but the style of their M^ork was not 
altogether faultless, for it was said that the 
counterfeit notes, made at the North, and exten- 
sively circulated through the South, could be easily 
detected by the superior execution of the engrav- 
ing upon them ! 

The natural advantages of "Wilmington for 
blockade-running were very great, chiefly owing 
to the fact, that there are two separate and dis- 
tinct approaches to Cape Fear River, i. e., either 
by " New Inlet " to the north of Smith's Island, 
or by the " western bar" to the south of it. This 
island is ten or eleven miles in length ; but the 
Frying Paa Shoals extend ten or twelve miles 
further south, making the distance by sea between 
the two bars thirty miles or more, although 
the direct distance between them is only six or 
seven miles. From Smithville, a little village 
nearly equi-distant from either bar, both block- 
ading fleets could be distinctly seen, and the 
outward bound blockade-runners could take 
their choice through which of them to run the 
gauntlet. The inward bound blockade-runners, 



CROSSING THE BAR. 131 

too, were guided by circumstances of wind and 
weather; selecting that bar over which they 
would cross, after they had passed the Gulf 
Stream ; and shaping their course accordingly. 
The approaches to both bars were clear of dan- 
ger, with the single exception of the "Lump" 
before mentioned ; and so regular are the sound- 
ings that the shore can be coasted for miles within 
a stone's throw of the breakers. 

These facts explain why the United States fleet 
were unable wholly to stop blockade-running. It 
was, indeed, impossible to do so ; the result to the 
very close of the war proves this assertion ; for in 
spite of the vigilance of the fleet, many blockade- 
runners were afloat when Fort Fisher was captured. 
In truth the passage through the fleet was little 
dreaded ; for although the blockade-runner might 
receive a shot or two, she was rarely disabled ; 
and in proportion to the increase of the fleet, the 
greater would be the danger (we knew,) of their 
firing into each other. As the boys before the 
deluge used to say, they would be very apt " to 
miss the cow and kill the calf." The chief dan- 
ger was upon the open sea ; many of the light 
cruisers having great speed. As soon as one of 
them discovered a blockade-rnnner during day- 



132 NAERATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-KUNNER. 

light she would attract other cruisers in the vicin- 
ity by sending up a dense column of smoke, visible 
for many miles in clear weather. A " cordon" ot 
fust steamers stationed ten or fifteen miles apart 
inside the Gulf Stream.^ and in the course from 
Nassau and Bermuda to Wilmington and Charles- 
ton, would have been more effectual in stopping 
blockade-running than the whole United States 
Navy concentrated off those ports ; and it was 
unaccountable to us why such a plan did not oc- 
cur to good Mr. Welles; but it was not our place 
to suggest it. I have no doubt, however, that 
the fraternity to which I tlien belonged would 
have unanimously voted thanks and a service of 
plate to the Hon. Secretary of the United States 
Navy for this oversight. I say inside the Gulf 
Sti'eam, because Qvery experienced captain of a 
blockade-runner made a point to cross " the 
stream ■ ' early enough in the afternoon, if possible, 
to establish the ship's position by chronometer so 
as to escape the influence of that current upon his 
dead reckoning. The lead always gave indication 
of our distance from the land, but not, of course, 
of our position; and the numerous salt works 
along the coast, where evaporation was produced 
b}' lire, and which were at work night and day 



THE GULF STREAM. 133 

were visible long before the low coast could be 
seen. Occasionally the whole inward voyage 
would be made under adverse conditions. Cloudy, 
thick weather and heavy gales would prevail so 
as to prevent any solar or lunar observations, and 
reduce the dead reckoning to mere guess work. 
In these cases the nautical knowledge and judg- 
ment of the captain would be taxed to the utmost. 
The current of the Gulf Stream varies in velocity 
and (within certain limits) in direction ; and the 
stream, itself almost as well defined as a river 
within its banks under ordinary circumstances, is 
impelled by a strong gale toward the direction in 
which the wind is blowing, overflowing its banks 
as it were. The counter current, too, inside of the 
Gulf Stream is much influenced by the prevailing 
winds. Upon one occasion, while in command of 
the R. E. Lee, we had experienced very heavy and 
thick weather ; and had crossed the Stream and 
struck soundings about midday. The weather 
then clearing so that we could obtain an altitude 
near meridian we found ourselves at least forty 
miles north of our supposed position and near the 
shoals which extend in a southerly direction off 
Cape Lookout. It would be more perilous to run 
out to sea than to continue on our course, for we 



134 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

had passed through the off shore line of block- 
aders, and the sky had become perfectly clear. 1 
determined to personate a transport bound to 
Beaufort, which was in the possession of the 
United States forces, and the coaling station of the 
fleet blockadino- Wilmington. The risk of detec- 
tion was not very great, for many of the captured 
blockade-runners were used as transports and dis- 
patch vessels. Shaping our course for Beau- 
fort, and slowing down, as we were in no haste 
to get there, we passed several vessels, showing 
United States colors to them all. Just as we were 
crossing through the ripple of shallow water off 
the " tail " of the shoals, we dipped our colors to 
a sloop of war which passed three or four miles to 
the south of us. The courtesy was promptly re- 
sponded to ; but I have no doubt her captain 
thought me a lubberly and careless seaman to 
shave the shoals so closely. We stopped the 
engines when no vessel was in sight ; and I was 
relieved from a heavy burden of anxiety as tlie 
sun sank below the horizon ; and the course was 
shaped at full speed for Masonboro' Inlet. 

A few days after our arrival at Wilmington 
the Giraffe was transferred to the Confederate 
Government, and named the R. E. Lee ; and 



THE MAJOR SUCCESSFUL. 135 

thenceforward carried the Confederate flag. Our 
friend the Major fulfilled his promise of meet- 
ing me in Tlichmond, having made his way across 
the Potomac. He made a gallant effort to get 
possession of the ship; but Mr. Seddon, who had 
succeeded Mr. Randolph as Secretary of War dur- 
ing our absence, contended that the Government 
had a juster claim ; and the facts of the case were 
too stubborn even for the Major's determined per- 
sistence. 

" The best laid plans of mice and men 
Gang aft agley." 

The Secretary of War having carried his point, 
the Major directed his efforts towards another 
quarter, and more successfully. Indeed he rarely 
failed in any enterprise requiring nerve, perse- 
verance, tact, and ability ; and it may well be 
added that he seemed to accumulate wealth to 
enjoy the pleasure of spending it worthily. His 
unostentatious charities during the war were 
almost boundless ; and hundreds of widows and 
orphans blessed him for the relief which he 
extended to them in those dark days, when even 
medicines were contraband of war, and the sim- 
plest necessaries of life were beyond the reach 
of nearly every one in the Confederacy. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Dyer and the Sailing Captain. — First Voyage to Nassau. — 
Major Ficklen and the Two Young Lieutenants. — Our 
Old Skipper "Captain Dick." — Bermuda. — The Races 
there and elsewhere. — Description of Bermuda. — 
Moore, the Poet, and his Rival Mr. Tucker. — Tame Fish. 
— The Naval Station. — Col. B.'s Accident. 

~r3EF0RE sailing with our cargo of cotton for 
-*— '^ Nassau, a signal officer was detailed for the 
ship, (signal stations having been established along 
the coast for the benefit of the blockade-runners;) 
and I was compelled to discharge my pilot Djer. 
He and the sailing captain, who was to take pas- 
sage with us, his engagement having terminated 
with the transfer of the vessel to the Confederate 
flag, had been quarreling incessantly during my 
absence from Wilmington, and had finally become 
mortal foes. An hour or more after my return to 
the ship, while sitting in the cabin, I heard loud 
and angry altercation overhead ; and going on 
deck, I saw Dyer pacing up and down the wharf, 
along side which the "Lee" was lying; while 



FIRST VOYAGE TO NASSAU- 137 

the sailing captain was bidding him defiance from 
the steamer's deck; Dyer with a drawn knife in 
his hand, and the captain armed with a hand- 
spike. They had exhausted their vocabulary of 
abuse, but neither was disposed to invade the 
enemy's territory. At last Dyer cried out " Come 
ashore you d-d English hog, and I'll make mince 
meat of you !" I shall never forget the expres- 
sion of the captain's face at this cruel taunt. He 
was literally struck speechless for a moment ; 
then turning to me and drawing himself up with 
a thumb in his arm-hole, and the handspike over 
his shoulder, he exclaimed, " Now, sir, isn't that 
too bad ! Do I look like a Ilenglish og ?" To 
this pathetic appeal, I could but answer " no," 
but the fact was they bore a ludicrous resem- 
blance to two boars about to engage in mortal 
combat ; the captain, with his jolly, rosy face 
and portly figure, not at all unlike a sleek, well 
fed "White Chester," and Dyer quite as much 
resembling a lean, lank, wiry "razor-back" native 
of his own pine woods. I discharged Dyer. The 
poor fellow's subsequent fate was a sad one. 
While acting as pilot of a blockade-runner, inward 
bound, he committed the folly one day of saying 
that he would put a steamer under his charge 



138 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNEK. 

ashore, before he would be captured. Tlie remark 
was overheard and treasured up by some of the 
crew; and a night or two afterwards the steamer 
ran aground on the bar in the attempt to enter 
Cape Fear River, and was deserted. As slie was 
under the shelter of the guns of Fort Caswell, a 
boat from shore was sent off to her next morning, 
and poor Dyer was found in a dying condition on 
the deck with his skull fractured. He had paid 
for his folly with his life. 

Our first voyage to ISTassau was made without 
any unusual incident. The Major took passage 
with ns by permission of the Secretary of War, 
and his practical jokes amused every one except 
the butt of them ; even the aggrieved party, him- 
self, being frequently obliged to laugh at his own 
expense. There were two very young lieutenants 
of the Confederate Navy then in Nassau, on their 
way to Europe ; the senior of whom Taiiking the 
other by one or two days, assumed much authority 
over him. One day the Major with the help of an 
accomplice, who was supposed to be able to imitate 
my handwriting, addressed an ofiicial letter to the 
senior in my name, informing him that both of 
them had been reported to me for unofficer-like 
and unbecoming conduct, and requiring them to 



MAJOR FICKLEN AND THE LIEUTENANTS. 139 

repair immediately on board the Lee with their 
luggage, as I felt it to be an imperative dnty to 
take them back to the Confederacy for trial by 
court-martial. The junior demurred, believing it 
to be a hoax, but the senior peremptorily ordered 
him to accompany him on board. They were 
caught in a drenching shower on their way to the 
Lee ; and they made their appearance in the cabin 
in a sorry plight, reporting themselves " in obedi- 
ence to orders," handing me the written docu- 
ment. As I pronounced it a forgery, the junior 
turned to the senior and exclaimed, " What did 
I tell you ? didn't I say it was a hoax of that d — d 
Major Ficklen ? " They started to the shore, vow- 
ing vengeance ; but the Major had posted his sen- 
tinels at every street corner near the landing, and 
successfully eluded them. They were to sail that 
afternoon at four o'clock ; and after a fruitless 
chase, went to the hotel to get dinner. While 
sitting at the table, and some time after soup was 
served, a waiter came to them " with Major Fick- 
len's compliments and the pleasure of a glass of 
champagne with them." After a hurried consul- 
tation, they decided to bury the hatchet ; and 
bowed over their wine to the Major, who had just 
slipped into a seat reserved for him at the other 



14:0 NAKKATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-EUNNEK. 

end of the long and crowded table, and was smil- 
ing graciously in their direction. As Ficklen bade 
thcni " good-bye, '' he said " Don't forget me, my 
sons!" "No, indeed," they replied, "you may 
swear we never will ! " 

Seeing the necessity, while at Nassau, of carry- 
ing a Bahama Banks pilot, I engaged our worthy 
old skipper. Captain Dick Watkins, who served 
under my command for many months, maintain- 
ing and deserving the respect of all on board. His 
son, and only heir to his name and fortune. Napo- 
leon Bonaparte, gave him much anxiety. "Ah, 
Sir," he said on one occasion, " dat b-y's heddica- 
tion has cost me a sight of money, as much as ten 
dollars a year for two or three years, and he don't 
know nothing hardly." During one of our voy- 
ages he had left his wife quite sick at home. My 
young friend Johnny T — was endeavoring to con- 
sole him. " But the ole 'oraan is mighty sick. 
Master Johnny," said the old fellow, " and I don't 
spect to see her no more." Johnny's heart was 
touched. The silence was broken by Captain 
Dick after a long pause, " dere are some mighty 
pretty yaller gals in I^assau, Master Johnny ! " 
He had the profoundest rdl^ect for the head of 
the firm of A — y and Co. in Nassau, the " King 



WINTER TRIPS. 141 

Conch " as he was irreverently styled by us outside 
barbarians. Speaking of the lirm upon one oc- 
casion he assured me the members were as wealthy 
as the " Roths children.'''' My good purser and 
the old captain were fast friends, the former fight- 
ing the old fellow's battles in Rebeldom ; and 
once, when the latter was unjustly treated in Wil- 
mington, the purser" took the daggers," and bore 
him triumphantl}" through the difiiculty. 

"We made two or three trips between Wil- 
mington and Nassau during the winter of 1862-3 
encountering no extraordinary hazards. Dur- 
ing one of them we arrived within ten or twelve 
miles of the western bar too early in the night 
to cross it, as the ebb tide was still running ; 
and it was always my custom to cross the bar on a 
rising tide, if possible. All the usual preparations 
had been made on board for running through the 
fleet, and as no sail was in sight we steamed cau- 
tiously in toward the land until we arrived within 
a cable's length of the shore, and in the dense 
shadow of a comparatively high bluff. Here we 
dropped a kedge and rode by the hawser. Al- 
though there was no moon, the stars were shining 
brightly ; and the air was so calm and still, that 
the silence was oppressive. While we were lying 



142 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-KUNNER. 

in the friendly shadow of the bluff, one of the 
blockading fleet could be occasionally seen from 
our deck, steaming slowly along upon her " beat " 
a short distance outside of us. When the time 
arrived for making the dash at the bar, the kedge 
was run up to the bows by willing hands, and the 
"Lee " started at full speed. When the land was 
once fairly got hold of, and our exact position 
known, the chances were ten to one in our favor. 
No blockader could get inshore of us to cut us off 
from the bar, and we believed that we could 
either go by or go over anything in our course ; 
and in extremity we could beach the vessel with 
the probability of being able to save most, if not 
the whole of the cargo. 

During the month of March, 1863, the Lee's 
port of destination was St. George's, Bermuda. 
This island is easily accessible on the southern 
side, and was much resorted to by blockade-run- 
ners. Surrounded on all other sides by dangerous 
coral reefs, which extend for many miles into deep 
water, a vessel of heavy draft can approach from 
the south within a cable's length of the shore. A 
light of the first class at the west end of the group 
composing the " Bermudas," is visible for many 
miles in clear weather. It may as well be men- 



BERMUDA. 143 

tioned here, that tlie blockade-runners rarely ap- 
proached any head land during daylight ; " pre- 
ferring darkness rather than light." The agent 
of the Confederate Government, Major Walker, 
with his staff of assistants, lived at St. George's ; 
and he and his accomplished wife always wel- 
comed their compatriots with genuine hospitality. 
The house of Mr. Black (an assistant of the 
Major) was also open to us, and no sick exile from 
home M'ill ever forget the tender nursing of Mrs. 
Black and the kindness of that whole family. 
The little graveyard attached to the Episcopal 
church at St. George's, contains all that is mortal 
of several gallant youths from the south, who 
died of yellow fever; but they were soothed in 
the hours of their last illness by Christian counsel, 
and by tender hands. The white natives of the 
island, too, extended many attentions and civili- 
ties to Confederates, so that St. George's became 
not only a harbor of refuge, but a pleasant resting 
place after the excitement and fatigue of an out- 
ward voyage. The same antagonism which pre- 
vails between the white and the black races, wher- 
ever they live together upon equal terms, exists in 
Bermuda. People are classed there as " colored 
and plain^'' and a line of one pound sterling is 



IM NAERATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNEK. 

imposed for calling the former " negroes." There 
must be a natural antipathy between the two 
races ; or at least it seems to exist in the heart of 
the negro, for wherever he has the power, he 
shows his dislike and jealousy of the white man. 
In Hayti, since the French inhabitants were mur- 
dered, the jealousy and hatred of the negroes have 
been directed against the mulattoes, who have 
been nearly exterminated ; and the whites in 
Jamaica would have shared the same fate at the 
hands of a brutal horde of black savages a few 
years ago, but for the premature exposure of the 
plot, and the vigorous action of the Governor of 
the island. In the model republic of Liberia no 
white man can obtain the right of citizenship, own 
real estate, nor sit upon a jury. Nowhere in the 
world did there exist the same kindly relation be- 
tween the two races, as in the South before the 
war ; and even now, the older negroes seek aid 
and advice, when in difficulties, from their former 
owners, although they have been misled by un- 
principled adventurers, by whom they have been 
taught to distrust them in politics. A short time 
ago Dr. B — , a Virginia gentleman, was asked by 
a Northerner his opinion of the negroes' feelings 
toward the Southern people. " I will tell you," 



THE BERMUDAS. 145 

replied Dr. B. " If you and I were candidates 
for the same office, you would get es^ery negro's 
vote ; but, if one of them wanted advice or assist- 
ance he would come to me or some other south- 
erner." 

U The group composing the " Bermudas " still 
justifies the reputation given to it by one of the 
British admirals of the "olden time." The 
" Bermoothees," he records in his quaintly written 
journal, " is a hellish place for thunder, light- 
ning, and storms." Shakspeare, too, sends " Ariel " 
to " fetch dew " from the " still vexed Ber- 
moothes" for his exacting master Prospero. But 
although gales of wind during the winter, and 
thunder storms in the summer, are so prevalent, 
the climate is delightful. There are upward of 
three hundred islands in the group, most of them 
mere barren coral rocks; and the largest, St. 
George's, is not more than three miles long, and 
about a mile in width. The roads are cut out of 
the soft coral, which hardens by exposure to the 
atmosphere, and are perfect. 

There are several very curious natural caves 

about five miles distant from St. George's ; and 

near one of them is still pointed out the calabash 

tree under which the Irish poet, Tom Moore, is 

7 



146 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

said to have composed one of his sonnets to Nea^ 
who afterwards became the wife of Mr. Tucker, 
and left many descendants on the island. The 
venerable old gentleman was living, in his nine- 
tieth year, when I was last in St. George's; and 
although the bride of his youth, and his rival the 
poet, had been long mouldering in their graves, 
he was still so jealous of the latter that he would 
not allow his great-grandchildren to keep a copy 
of the poet's works in the house. 

The only indigenous tree upon the islands, I 
believe, is the cedar ; the oleander, which now 
grows everywhere, having been introduced by 
Mr. Tucker. Nearly all of the tropical fruits 
grow there, and many indigenous to the temper- 
ate zone ; but the staple products are potatoes 
and onions, chiefly for the New York market, and 
arrow root. The waters teem with fish of the 
most brilliantly beautiful colors. An ingenious 
individual has succeeded in taming a number, by 
availing himself of a natural cavity in the coral 
situated close to the shore and a few miles distant 
from St. George's. The sea water, percolating 
through the coral, supplies the basin. At a 
whistle the tame lish swim close to the edge and 
feed from one's hand. 



CIVIL BELLIGEKENTS. 147 

There is a naval station at " Ireland Island," 
and a floating dock (which was built in England 
and towed out,) capable of taking in the largest- 
sized man of war. The naval oflicers attached to 
the dock-yard, and to the men of w^ar, were 
always friendly and more than civil to Confeder- 
ates ; being sometimes, indeed, too profuse in their 
hospitality. Upon one occasion. Col. — a personal 
friend of mine, had obtained a furlough, and 
permission to make a trip in the Lee, for the sake 
of his health, broken by the hardships of a cam- 
paign in northern Virginia. The purser, who 
was always ready for a " lark," and the Colonel, 
who was of an inquiring turn of mind, paid a visit 
to the dock-yard. After an inspection of it, they 
went on board several of the men of war in har- 
bor, receiving on board each of them refresh- 
ments, solid and liquid. They had crossed over 
to Ireland Island in a sail-boat, and when about to 
return, were escorted to the wharf by a party of 
officers. Their boat was lying outside of another, 
containing a fat old washerwoman ; and Col. — , 
who had had no experience in boating in his life, 
except "paddling his own canoe " upon a mill 
pond in Amelia county, Ya., stopped to exchange 
farewell salutations with the party of officers on 



148 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

the wharf, while he stood with one foot in the 
"stern sheets" of the washerwoman's boat, and 
the other in his own. The boatman forward, 
ignorant of the critical state of affairs, hoisted the 
jib, and the boat, under the influence of a stiff 
breeze, began to " pay off" before the wind. Be- 
fore Col. — could " realize the situation," he was 
in the attitude of the Colossus of Rhodes. The 
purser promptly seized one of his legs, and the fat 
washerwoman with equal presence of mind, laid 
hold of the other. Each was determined not to 
let go, and the strain upon the Colonel must have 
been terrific ; but he was equal to the emergency. 
Taking in the whole situation, he deliberately 
drew his watch out of his pocket, and holding it 
high above his head with both hands, he said, 
with his usually imperturbable calmness, " Well 
I reckon you had better let go ! " His endeavors 
to protect his watch proved to have been fruit- 
less ; the purser indeed always insists that he 
touched bottom in three fathoms of water. He 
returned on board the Lee to be wrung out and 
dried. 



CHAPTER IX. 

We sail for Wilmington. — Thick Weather on the Coast. — An- 
chored among the Blockading Fleet. — The " Mound." — 
Running the Blockade by Moonlight. — A Device to mis- 
lead the Enemy. — The man Hester. 

A FTER discharging our cargo of cotton and 
-^^ loading with supplies for the Confederate 
Government, chiefly for the army of Northern 
Virginia, we sailed for Wilmington in the latter 
part of the month of March. Our return voyage 
was uneventful, until we reached the coast near 
Masonborough Inlet, distant about nine miles 
north of the " New Inlet " bar. The weather had 
been pleasant during the voyage, and we had 
sighted i\ve fires from the salt works along the 
coast, but before we could get hold of the land, a 
little before midnight, a densely black cloud made 
its appearance to the north and east ; and the 
rapidity with which it rose and enlarged, indica- 
ted too surely that a heavy gale was coming from 
that quarter. We had been unable to distinguish 
any landmark before the storm burst in all its fury 



150 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

upon US, and the rain poured in torrents. Our 
supply of f^oals was too limited to enable us, with 
prudence, to put to sea again ; and of course, the 
marks or ranges for crossing the bar would not be 
visible fifty yards in such thick weather. Being 
quite confident of our position, however, I deter- 
mined to run down the coast, and anchor off the 
bar till daylight. Knowing the " trend " of the 
land north of New Inlet bar, the engine was 
slowed down and the lead kept going on both 
sides. The sounding continued quite regular three 
and three and a quarter fathoms, with the surf 
thundering within a stone's throw on our star- 
board beam, and nothing visible in the blinding 
torrents of rain. I knew that if my calculated 
position was correct, the water would shoal very 
suddenly just before reaching the bar; but a try- 
ing hour or more of suspense had passed before 
the welcome fact was announced by the leadsmen. 
The course and distance run, and the soundings 
up to this point proved, beyond doubt, that we had 
now reached the " horse shoe " north of New Inlet 
bar. At the moment when both of the leadsmen 
almost simultaneously called out " and a quarter 
less three," the helm was put hard a-starboard, 
and the Lee's bow was pointed seaward. "We 



THE MOUND. 151 

could not prudently anchor in less than five fath- 
oms water, as the sea was rising rapidly ; and that 
depth would carry us into the midst of the block- 
ading fleet at anchor outside. It seemed an age 
before tlie cry came from the leadsmen " by the 
mark five." The Lee was instantly stopped, and 
one of the bower anchors let go, veering to thirty 
fathoms on the chain. The cable was then well 
stoppered at the "bitts," and unshackled; and 
two men stationed at the stopper, with axes, and 
the order to cut the lashings, instantly, when so 
ordered ; the fore-staysail was loosed, and hands 
stationed at the halliards ; and the chief engineer 
directed to keep up a full head of steam. The 
night wore slowly away ; and" once or twice we 
caught a glimpse, by a flash of lightning, of the 
blockading fleet around us, rolling and pitching 
in the heavy sea. The watch bavins: been set, 
the rest of the officers and crew were permitted 
to go below, except the chief engineer and the 
pilot. We paced the bridge, anxiously waiting 
for daylight. It came at last, and there, right 
astern of us, looming up through the mist and 
rain, was the " Mound." We had only to steer 
for it, to be on our right course for crossing the 
bar. The stoppers were cut, the engine started 



152 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

ahead, and the fore stay-sail hoisted. As tlie chain 
rattled through the hawse-hole, the Lee wore 
rapidly around, and the Confederate flag was run 
up to the peak as she dashed toward the bar with 
the speed of a greyhound slipped from the leash. 
The bar was a sheet of foam and surf, breaking 
sheer across the channel ; but the great length of 
the Lee enabled her to ride over three or four of 
the short chopping seas at once, and she never 
touched the bottom. In less than half an hour 
from the time when we slipped our chain under 
the guns of the fleet, we had passed beyond Fort 
Fisher, and were on our way up the river to 
Wilmington. 

The " Mound " was an artificial one, erected 
by Colonel Lamb, who commanded Fort Fisher. 
Two heavy guns were mounted upon it, and it 
eventually became a site for a light, and very 
serviceable to blockade-runners ; but even at this 
period, it was an excellent landmark. Joined by 
a long low isthmus of sand with the higher main 
land, its regular conical shape enabled the block- 
ade-runners easily to identify it from the ofling ; 
and in clear weather, it showed plain and distinct 
against the sky at night. I believe the military 
men used to laugh slyly at the Colonel for under- 



RANGE LIGHTS AT CAPE FEAB. 153 

taking its erection, predicting that it would not 
stand ; but the result showed the contrary ; and 
whatever difference of opinion may have existed 
with regard to its value as a military position, 
there can be but one as to its utility to the block- 
ade-runners, for it was not a landmark, alone, 
along this monotonous coast ; but one of the 
range lights for crossing New Inlet bar was placed 
on it. Seamen will appreciate at its full value, 
this advantage; but it may be stated, for the 
benefit of the unprofessional reader, that while the 
compass bearing of an object does not enable a 
pilot to steer a vessel with sufficient accuracy 
through a narrow channel, range lights answer the 
purpose completely. These lights were only set 
after signals had been exchanged between the 
blockade-runner and the shore station, and were 
removed immediately after the vessel had entered 
the river. The range lights were changed as cir- 
cumstances required ; for the New Inlet channel, 
itself, was and is constantly changing, being 
materially affected both in depth of water, and 
in its course, by a heavy gale of wind or a severe 
freshet in Cape Fear Kiver. 

The " Lee " continued to make her regular 
trips either to Nassau or Bermuda, as circum- 



154 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

stances required, during the summer of 1863 ; 
carrying abroad cotton and naval stores, and bring- 
ing in " hardware," as munitions of war were then 
invoiced. Usually the time selected for sailing 
was during the " dark of the moon,'' but upon one 
occasion, a new pilot had been detailed for duty 
on board, who failed in many efforts to get the 
ship over the " rip," a shifting sand bar a mile or 
more inside the true bar. More than a week of 
valuable time had thus been lost, but the exigen- 
cies of the army being at that time more than 
usually urgent, I determined to run what appeared 
to be a very great risk. The tide serving at ten 
o'clock, we succeeded in crossing the rip at that 
hour, and as we passed over New Inlet bar, the 
moon rose in a cloudless sky. It was a calm night 
too, and the regular beat of our paddles through 
the smooth water sounded to our ears ominously 
loud. As we closely skirted the shore, the block- 
ading vessels were plainly visible to us, some at 
anchor, some under way ; and some of them so 
near to us that we saw, or fancied we saw, with 
our night glasses, the men on watch on their fore- 
castles ; but as we were inside of them all, and 
invisible against the background of the land, we 
passed beyond them undiscovered. The roar of 



A NEW EXPEDIENT. 155 

the surf breaking upon the beach, prevented the 
noise of our paddles from being heard. The Lee's 
head was not pointed seaward, however, until we 
had run ten or twelve miles along the land so 
close to the breakers that we could almost have 
tossed a biscuit into them, and no vessel was to be 
seen in any direction. ' Discovery of us by the 
fleet would probably have been fatal to us, but 
the risk was really not so great as it appeared ; 
for, as I had been informed by a blockade-runner 
who had been once captured and released, being a 
British subject, the vigilance on board the block- 
ading fleet was much relaxed during the moon- 
lit nights. The vessels were sent to Beaufort 
to coal at these times. My informant was an 
ofiicer of the British Navy, and was the guest, for 
a few days after his capture, of Captain Patterson 
then commanding the blockading fleet off* the 
Cape Fear. Speaking of the arduous service, 
P. remarked to him, that he never undressed 
nor retired to bed, during the dark nights; but 
could enjoy those luxuries when the moon was 
shining. On this hint I acted. 
I It was about this time that I adopted an ex- 
pedient which proved of great service on several 
occasions. A blockade-runner did not often pass 



156 NAERATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

through the fleet without receiving one or more 
shots, but these were always preceded by the 
flash of a calcium light, or by a blue light ; and 
immediately followed by two rockets thrown in 
the direction of the blockade-runner. The signals 
were probably concerted each day for the ensuing 
night, as they appeared to be constantly changed ; 
but the rockets were invariably sent up. I 
ordered a lot of rockets from New York. When- 
ever all hands were called to ran through the fleet, 
an ofiicer was stationed alongside of me on the 
bridge with the rockets. One or two minutes 
after our immediate pursuer had sent up his rock- 
ets, I would direct ours to be discharged at a right 
angle to our course. The whole fleet would be 
misled, for even if the vessel which had discovered 
us were not deceived, the rest of the fleet would 
be baffled. 

While we were lying at anchor in the harbor 
of St. George's, during one of our trips, I was 
notified by the Governor of the island, that an 
officer of the Confederate Navy, then held as a 
prisoner on board one of H. B. M.'s ships of war 
at the naval anchorage, would be delivered up 
to me for transportation to the Confederacy, if 
I would assume the charge. This officer was 



THE MAN HESTER. 157 

charged with the murder of a messmate on board 
the Confederate States steamer Sumter, while 
lying at Gibraltar. The demand for his extradi- 
tion, made bj the Confederate Government, had 
been complied with by the British Government 
after much delay ; and he was turned over to me 
for transportation to the Confederacy. Although 
the crime appeared to have been committed under 
circumstances of peculiar atrocity — it being al- 
leged that the rictim was asleep at the time he was 
shot — I so far respected the commission which the 
criminal bore, as to place him upon parole. Upon 
reporting his arrival at Wilmington to the Secre- 
tary of the Navy, the latter directed me to release 
him, upon the ground that it would be impossible 
to convict him by court-martial, all of the witnesses 
to the transaction being abroad. The man, Hes- 
ter, was therefore released, and was never heard 
of again, I believe, during the war; but he has 
added to his evil reputation since its close, by ply- 
ing the infamous trade (under the guise of United 
States Secret Service agent) of false informer and 
persecutor in several of the Southern States. The 
General Government failed to exercise its usual 
careful discrimination in making this appoint- 
ment ! The base renegades are many degrees 



158 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

worse even than the unprincipled adventurers 
from the North who have so long preyed upon the 
South. The latter are only thieves and robbers ; 
the former are, in addition, unnatural monsters, 
who hate their own people and are guilty of the 
crime of Judas, who betrayed his Lord for thirty 
pieces of silver. 



CHAPTER X. 

The Confederate States Steamer " Florida." — Short Supply 
of Coal. — The "Florida's" Decks. — Tea and Costly 
China. — Narrow Escape from Capture. — Miss Lucy Q. — 
Arrival at Bermuda. — Our uneventful Trip inward. — 
The Johnson's Island Expedition. — Another Narrow 
Escape. — " Pretty Shooting." — Arrival at Halifax, N. S. 

■r~\URING the latter part of July, 1863, the 
-^-^ "Lee" was lying in the harbor of St. 
George's, when the Confederate States steamer 
" Florida" arrived there in want of coal, of which 
there happened to be a very limited supply on 
hand. The most suitable coal was procured with 
difficulty throughout the war, all of the British 
coals, although excellent for raising steam, making 
more or less smoke, and objectionable on that ac- 
count. Exportation of the American anthracite, 
which would have been almost invaluable, was 
prohibited by the Government. This is, I believe, 
the only accessible, or at least available nonbitu- 
minous coal in the world ; but the best substitute 
for it is the Welsh semi-bituminous coal, and this 
was chiefly used by the blockade-runners. 



160 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADK-RDNNER. 

The Florida was in greater need of coal than 
ourselves, for the United States steamer Wachii- 
sett came into port a day or two after the former, 
and Maffitt, in command of the Florida, wished to 
get to sea first. When belligerent rights were 
accorded to the Confederate Government by 
foreign powers, the Confederate cruisers were 
admitted into their ports upon equal terms with 
the United States men of war, except that there 
was no interchange of official courtesies. In order 
to preserve strict neutrality toward the contending 
powers, a man of war under either flag was not 
permitted to follow out of a neutral port a ship 
under the enemy's colors within twenty-four hours 
of the sailing of the latter ; and it was an equal 
violation of neutrality for a ship of war under 
either flag to cruise within a marine league of 
neutral territory. 

When occasion required no one could be more 
resolute than Maflit, as he had repeatedly shown 
in the management of the Florida ; and especially 
when he ran the gauntlet in broad daylight 
througli the whole Federal fleet blockading Mo- 
bile, and for which affair Preble, then com- 
manding the fleet, was so harshly dealt with ; but 
the chief object of the Confederate cruisers being 



SCARCITY OF COAL. 161 

to destroy the American commerce, an engage- 
ment with a United States ship of war was to be 
avoided, if possible. 

The Florida's deck, when the crew were at 
their meals, was a curious scene ; the plain fare 
of the sailors being served in costly china, cap- 
tured from homeward bound "Indiamen," and 
the scamps had become fastidious in their taste 
about tea, I had the pleasure to carry into 
Wilmington ten or twelve chests of the finest 
hyson, which were distributed among the hospi- 
tals ; and a lot of silver ingots made a narrow 
escape from confiscation. But the law officers in 
Bermuda, whom Maffit consulted, assuring him 
that they would be adjudged legal prize of war 
in the British courts, they were shipped to 
England, instead of the Confederacy, and there 
returned to the claimants. 

Although there was no exchange of civilities 
between the officers of the two ships, the sailors 
harmonized amiably and got drunk together 
ashore with mutual good will. A jack tar is 
probably the only representative left of the 
old " free lance," who served under any flag 
where he was sure of pay and booty. The 
blue jackets will fight under any colors, where 



1G2 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

there is a fair prospect of adventure and prize 
money. 

After the Florida had been coaled, there was 
scarcely a sufficient supply left to carry the Lee 
into Wilmington under the most favorable cir- 
cumstances ; but it was necessary either to sail at 
once, or to wait two weeks for the next moon. 
Our chief engineer had noticed a large pile of 
coal on one of the wharves rented by the Con- 
federate agent ; but the heap had been so long 
exposed to the weather, and trampled upon for 
so many months, that it appeared to be a mere 
pile of dirt. "Necessity having no law," 
however, we shoveled off the surface ; and were 
surprised to find that it was of very fair quality. 
It made an abundance of steam, indeed, but 
burned with great rapidity ; and although we 
took on board an extra supply, we were able to 
retain barely enough English coal in the bunkers 
to use in running through the fleet on our next 
outward voyage. The consequence was the 
narrowest escape from capture ever made by the 
Lee while under my command. 

We were ready to sail for Nassau on the 15th 
of August, 1863, and had on board, as usual, 
several passengers. Indeed we rarely made a trip 



THE CHASE. 163 

either way without as many as could be accommo- 
dated, and many ladies among them. My obser- 
vation of the conduct of the fair sex, under 
trying and novel circumstances, has convinced me 
that they face inevitable dangers more bravely 
and with more composure than men. I have 
frequently seen a frail, delicate woman standing 
erect and unflinching upon the deck, as the 
shells were whistling and bursting over us, 
while her lawful protector would be cowering 
"under the lee" of a cotton bale. I pay this 
humble tribute of admiration to the sex, but 
a. cynical old bachelor, to whom I once made 
the observation, replied that in his opinion their 
insatiable curiosity prevailed even over their 
natural fears I 

On our outward voyage we had among our 
passengers ex-Senator Gwin and his daughter, 
and Dr. and Mrs. P. We passed safely through 
the blockading fleet off the New Inlet Bar, 
receiving no damage from the few shots fired 
at us, and gained an ofiing from the coast of 
thirty miles by daylight. By this time our 
supply of English coal had been exhausted, and 
we were obliged to commence upon. North 
Carolina coal of very inferior quality, and which 



1G4 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

smoked terribly. "We commenced on this fuel a 
little after daylight. "Very soon afterwards the 
vigilant look-out at the mast-head called out 
" Sail ho ! " and in reply to the " where away " 
from the deck, sang out " Right astern, sir, and in 
chase." The morning was very clear. Going to 
the mast-head I could jnst discern the royal of the 
chaser ; and before I left there, say in half an 
hour, her top-gallant sail showed above the hori- 
zon. By this time the sun had risen in a cloud- 
less sky. It was evident our pursuer would be 
alongside of us by mid-day at the rate we were 
then going. The first orders given were to throw 
overboard the deck-load of cotton and to make 
more steam. The latter proved to be more easily 
given than executed ; the chief engineer report- 
ing that it was impossible to make steam with the 
wretched stuff filled with slate and dirt. A mod- 
erate breeze from the north and east had been 
blowing ever since daylight and every stitch of 
canvas on board the square-rigged steamer in 
our wake was drawing. We were steering east 
by south, and it was clear that the chaser's advan- 
tages could only be neutralized either by bring- 
ing the "Lee'' gradually head to wind or edging 
away to bring the wind aft. The former course 



AN EXPERIMENT. 165 

would be running toward the land, besides incur- 
ring the additional risk of being intercepted and 
captured by some of the inshore cruisers. I 
began to edge away tlierefore, and in two or three 
hours enjoyed the satisfaction of seeing our pur- 
suer clew up and furl his sails. The breeze was 
still blowing as fresh as in the morning, but we 
were now running directly away from it, and the 
cruiser was going literally as fast as the wind, 
causing the sails to be rather a hindrance than a 
help. But she was still gaining on us. A happy 
inspiration occurred to me when the case seemed 
hopeless. Sending for the chief engineer I said 
" Mr. S., let us try cotton, saturated with spirits 
of turpentine." There were on board, as part of 
the deck load, thirty or forty barrels of " spirits." 
In a very few moments, a bale of cotton was 
ripped open, a barrel tapped, and buckets full of 
the saturated material passed down into the fire- 
room. The result exceeded our expectations. 
The chief engineer, an excitable little Frenchman 
from Charleston, very soon made his appearance 
on the bridge, his eyes sparkling with triumph, 
and reported a full head of steam. Curious to see 
the effect upon our speed) I directed him to wait 
a moment until the log was hove. I threw it 



166 NAKRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-BUNNER. 

myself, nine and a half knots. " Let lier go now 
sir ! " I said. Five minutes afterwards, I hove 
the log again, ildrteen and a quarter. We now 
began to hold our own, and even to gain a little 
upon the chaser ; but she was fearfully near, and 
I began to have visions of another residence at 
Fort Warren, as I saw the " big bone in the 
mouth " of our pertinacious friend, for she was 
near enough to us at one time for us to see dis- 
tinctly the white curl of foam under her bows, 
called by that name among seamen. I wonder 
if they could have screwed another turn of speed 
out of her if thej' had known that the Lee had on 
board, in addition to her cargo of cotton, a large 
amount of gold shipped by the Confederate Gov- 
ernment ? There continued to be a very slight 
change in our relative positions till about six 
o'clock in the afternoon, when the chief engineer 
again made his appearance, with a very ominous 
expression of countenance. He came to report 
that the burnt cotton had choked the flues, and 
that the steam was running down. " Only keep 
her going till dark, sir," 1 replied, " and we will 
give our pursuer the slip yet." A heavy bank 
was lying along the horizon to the south and 
east ; and I saw a possible means of escape. At 



THE ESCAPE. 167 

sunset the chaser was about four miles astern and 
gaining upon us. Calling two of my most reliable 
ofiicers, I stationed one of them on each wheel- 
house, with glasses, directing them to let me know 
the instant they lost sight of the chaser in the 
growing darkness. At the same time, I ordered 
the chief engineer to make as black a smoke as 
possible, and to be in readiness to cut ofi* the 
smoke, by closing the dampers instantly, when 
ordered. The twilight was soon succeeded by 
darkness. Both of the officers on the wheel house 
called out at the same moment, "We have lost 
sight of her," while a dense volume of smoke was 
streaming far in our wake. " Close the dampers," 
I called out through the speaking tube, and at the 
same moment ordered the helm "hard a star- 
board." Our course was altered eight points, at a 
right angle to the previous one. I remained on 
deck an hour, and then retired to my state-room 
with a comfortable sense of security. We had 
fired so hard that the very planks on the bridge 
were almost scorching hot, and my feet were 
nearly blistered. I put them out of the window 
to cool, after taking off slippers and socks. 
While in this position, Miss Lucy G. came on the 
bridge in company with her father. Tapping 



168 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-KUNNER. 

my foot with her hand, she said, "Ah, captain, 
I see we are all safe, and I congratulate you ! " 
At one time during the chase, when capture 
seemed inevitable, tlie kegs containing the gold 
had been brought on deck, and one of them 
opened by my orders, it being my intention to 
distribute its contents among the officers and crew. 
Miss Lucy, who preserved her presence of mind 
throughout the trying scenes of the day, called 
me aside, and suggested that she should till a 
purse for me, and keep it about her person, until 
the prize crew had taken possession, and all dan- 
ger of personal search was over, when she would 
make an opportunity to give it to me ; and I have 
no doubt she would have accomplished her inten- 
tions if occasion had required. ) The chaser 
proved afterwards to be the "Iroquois." Feel- 
ing confident that she would continue on the 
course toward Abaco, and perhaps have another 
and more successful chase, I changed the destina- 
tion of the Lee to Bermuda, where we arrived 
safely two days afterward. 

Upon the arrival of the Lee at Wilmington, 
after one more trip to Nassau, I wsls summoned 
by telegraph to Richmond. An attempt was to 
be made for the release of the prisoners at 



A NEW BUSINESS. 169 

Johnson's Island. This island, situated in the 
harbor of Sandnsky, on Lake Erie, was supposed 
to be easily accessible from Canada, and the 
Canadian shore ; but it was left to the judgment 
of the officer in command how the details were to 
be arranged, his sole explicit instructions being 
not to violate the neutrality of British territory. 
How this was to be avoided has ever seemed 
impossible to me, but having been selected to 
command the expedition, I resolved to disregard 
all personal consequences, and to leave the respon- 
sibility to be borne by the Confederate Govern- 
ment. A party of twentj^-six officers of the 
dijfferent grades was detailed for. the service. The 
Lee, laden with a cargo of cotton, was to carry 
ns to Halifax, N. S. ; the cotton to be consigned 
to a iirm there, who were to purchase, with a part 
of the proceeds, blankets, shoes, etc., for the army ; 
the balance to be retained for the benefit of the 
prisoners, if released. My successor in connnand 
of the Lee took passage with us. We sailed for 
Halifax on the night of October 10th, 1863. The 
season was so far advanced, that we could not 
afford to lose even a day ; we therefore dropped 
down the Cape Fear River to Smithville as soon 
as the preparations were completed, and although 



170 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADK-RUNNER. 

the night was very clear, I determined to attempt 
the passage through the fleet soon after dark, so 
as to get as far north along the coast as possible 
before daylight. We crossed the western bar 
abont nine o'clock at night, and instead of " hug- 
ging" the shore, which would have carried us too 
far to the southward and westward, the course 
was shaped so as to clear the Frying Pan Shoals. 
LWe had been running at full speed for nearly an 
hour, when a shot came whizzing a few feet over 
our bulwarks, and struck the water just beyond 
us ; it was followed immediately by another, which 
striking a little short " ricocheted " over us ; 
and then a third, which crashing through the 
starboard bulwarks, burst in a cotton bale on the 
port side, and set lire to it ; several men being 
wounded by splinters and fragments of the shells. 
The flames leaped high into the air, and there 
was a momentary confusion on board, but the or- 
der to throw the burning bale overboard was 
promptly executed, and for some time afterwards 
we could see it blazing far astern. We never saw 
the cruiser which tired at us, as she was inshore, 
and although several more shots were flred, each 
succeeding one flew wider from the marL AVe 
promptly sent up our two rockets abeam, and 



ANOTHER ESCAPE. 171 

experienced no farther trouble, easily avoiding a 
sloop of war cruising off the end of the Frying 
Pan Shoals. The fact is, a blockade-runner was 
almost as invisible at night as Harlequin in the 
pantomime. Nothing showed above the deck but 
the two short masts, and the smoke-stack ; and 
the lead colored hull could scarcely be seen at the 
distance of one hundred yards. Even in a clear 
day, they were not easily discovered. Upon one 
occasion, when bound to Wilmington, we had 
crossed the Gulf Stream and struck soundings, 
when the look-out aloft reported a cruiser in sight 
ahead, and lying " a-Kitlip with her broadside 
exposed to us. It was evident, of course, that we 
were undiscovered so long as she lay in this 
position, and we continued to steam towards her, 
until we could plainly see her broadside guns. 
It was time for us to stop, but we preserved the 
same distance, undiscovered, for at least two 
hours. The engineer then reporting that the 
steam was running down, I directed him to fire 
up cautiously. The second shovel-full had 
scarcely been tossed into the furnace when a slight 
puff of smoke passed out of our smoke-stack, and 
at the same instant, the cruiser ahead wore round, 
and commenced a pursuit. There was clearly no 



172 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

want of vigilance on board of her. But to return 
from this digression. By next morning we had 
got beyond dangerous waters. Some amusement 
was occasioned at the breakfast table by Johnny 
T., who had overheard the soliloquy of Colonel B. 
the night before. The Colonel, who was a mem- 
ber of the expedition, had seen service in the 
army of Northern Yirginia. He was sitting upon 
the wheel house when the first shot was tired, and 
calmly remarked (to no one in particular,) " that 
is pretty firing," at the second " that is very pretty 
firing," and when the third shell burst upon the 
deck, he jumped upon his feet and exclaimed, 
with much emphasis, "if that isn't the prettiest 
firing I ever saw, I wish I may be d — d I " 



CHAPTER XI. 

The Lee Captured at Last. — Sandy Keith alias Thomassen. 
Recruiting in the British Provinces for the United States 
Army. — Failure of the Expedition. — Return to Bermuda. 

/^^^ our voyage to Halifax, we passed many 
^-^ vessels, and exciting no suspicion, for at 
that period many of the captured blockade-runners 
were afloat in the United States service. We 
showed American colors to those which passed neai 
us and once, in thick weather off New York, we 
passed within hailing distance of a man of war 
bound South. We arrived at Halifax the 16th of 
October. The cargo of cotton was consigned to the 
firm of B. Wier & Co. with instructions to pur- 
chase shoes, etc., with a part of the proceeds, and 
to hold the balance to my credit. There was then 
no agent of the Confederate Government in 
Halifax, but I had taken letters of introduction 
from a mercantile house in London to this firm 
to be used in case of touching there on the way 
back from Glasgow the year before. When I 
received my instructions from the Secretary 



174 NARRATH'E OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

of the ISTavj before leaving Richmond, I wished 
to ascertain to whom the cargo was to be con- 
signed on our arrival at Halifax; and then learned 
from the Secretary of State, to whom I was 
referred, that there was no accredited agent of 
the government there. In this dilemma I sought 
counsel of my good friend Mr. Seddon, Secretary 
of War, who advised me to act according to my 
own judgment. I therefore directed the bills of 
lading, invoices, etc., to be made out with B. Wier 
& Co. as consignees. In no case, I believe, did 
the Confederate Government appear as the shipper 
or consignor. Every cargo was supposed to be 
owned by private individuals ; and the blockade- 
runners were regularly entered and cleared at the 
Confederate Custom House. Upon this occasion 
the Lee's papers were closely scrutinized by the 
collector of the customs at Halifax, who did me 
the honor of personal attention ; but he could 
find no flaw in them, and the vessel was regularly 
entered, with little more than the customary delay. 
The Lee had made her last voj'age under the 
Confederate flag. Sailing for Wilmington with a 
full cargo, she was captured off the coast 
of North Carolina. The land had been made the 
night before under quite favorable circumstances, 



THE LEE CAPTURED. 175 

but neither the captain, nor the pilot, being 
willing to assume the responsibility of taking 
charge of the vessel, the Lee was put to sea again, 
and b}' further culpable mismanagement, she fell 
an easy prey next morning to one of the United 
States cruisers. She had run the blockade twenty- 
one times while under my command, and had 
carried abroad between six thousand and seven 
thousand bales of cotton, worth at that time about 
two millions of dollars in gold, and had carried 
into the Confederacy equally valuable cargoes. 
My staunch old helmsman, who had been released 
in New York by claiming British protection, and 
who started at once in search of me, met me in 
Halifax on our return from the Johnson's Island 
expedition. He actually shed tears as he narrated 
the train of circumstances which led to the capture. 
" She would have gone in by herself," he said, 
" if they had only let her alone ; " for indeed it was 
evident to all on board the morning of her 
capture, that she h^id been close in to the shore 
within a few miles of the New Inlet Bar. She 
liad not reached the bar, however, so that the 
pilot's course in refusing to take charge was 
justifiable; but the fatal error was committed by 
not making a good offing before daylight. At the 



176 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNEK. 

time of her capture, she was not more than 
twenty miles from the land, and in the deep bay 
formed by the coast between Masonborongh Inlet 
and the Cape Lookout Shoals. 

The arrival of so large a party of Confederates 
in Halifax attracted attention, and it was essential 
to the successful execution of the project, that all 
suspicion should be allayed. The party, therefore, 
was divided into groups of three or four individ- 
uals, who were directed to report, in person, at 
Montreal, each one being strictly enjoined to 
secrecy and discretion ; for although the precise 
object of the expedition was only known to three 
of its members. Lieutenants R. Minor, Ben. 
Loyall and myself, every one belonging to it was 
quite well aware that it was hostile to the United 
States Government. They were a set of gallant 
young fellows, with a single exception. Who he 
was and where he came from, none of us knew ; 
but he had been ordered by the Secretary of the 
Navy to report to me for duty. We believed 
him to be a traitor and a spy ; and succeeded in 
ridding ourselves of him the day after our arrival 
at Halifax, by advancing him a month's wages. 
No member of the expedition ever saw him 
asain. 



SANDY KEITH. 177 

The most oflScionsly zealous friend and par- 
tisan whom we all encountered in Halifax was Mr. 
" Sandy " Keith, who was facetiously called the 
Confederate Consul. By dint of a brazen assur- 
ance, a most obliging manner, and the lavish ex- 
penditure of money, " profusus sui alieni appe- 
tens " — he ingratiated himself with nearly every 
southerner who visited Halifax although he was a 
coarse, ill-bred vulgarian, of no social standing in 
the community. It is true that a worthy member 
of the same family had risen from obscurity to 
high honors, but Sandy was a black sheep of the 
flock. He was employed at first by many of our 
people to purchase for tliem on commission, and 
afterwards by the Confederate Government. He 
profited by so good an opportunity for swindling, 
eventually forging invoices of articles, and draw- 
ing bills of exchange upon the Confederate 
Government, which were duly honored. This 
villainy was perpetrated towards the end of the 
war, and at its close, Sandy Keith absconded with 
his ill-gotten gains, a considerable proportion con- 
sisting of money in his hands, belonging to private 
individuals. Among his victims was Colonel S. of 
Baltimore, who determined to make an effort to 
recover his money. His first step was a visit to 



178 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

Halifax. His endeavors there to find Keith's 
whereabouts were for some time fruitless. But at 
last a clue was found. A girl, who had accompa- 
nied Keith in his flight, had written a letter to a 
relative in Halifax, and Colonel S. by some means 
obtained a sight of the envelope. The post-mark, 
plainly legible, indicated that the letter had been 
written at an obscure little village in Missouri. 
S, hastened back to Baltimore, and secured the 
cooperation of a detective, not for the purpose of 
arresting Keith, because he doubted whether he 
could recover possession of his property by the 
slippery and uncertain process of law, but for the 
sake of the detective's strong arm and presence of 
mind in the event of resistance. The reward to 
the detective being made contingent upon the re- 
covery of the money, the pair left Baltimore, and 
in due time reached the village in the backwoods, 
where they learned that two persons, as man and 
wife, were boarding at the house of a widow, a 
mile or two distant. They w^aited until night, 
and then, arming themselves with revolvers, 
started for the house of the M'idow. Knoekino; at 
the door, it was opened to them, and as they 
passed in, Keith's voice was heard, inquiring who 
had entered. Guided by the sound, they rushed 



KEITH ALIAS THOMASSEN. 179 

to the room occupied by him. He had retired 
for the night. His loaded pistol was lying on a 
table near his bedside ; but he had neglected to 
lock the door of his chamber, and S. and the de- 
tective had secured his arms and held him a pris- 
oner before he was fairly awake. There was 
little parleying between them, the detective 
merely assuring him that if he did not come to 
terms speedily, his trunk would be broken open 
and all of its contents seized. The whole affair 
was amicably settled in ten minutes, by a check 
upon the bank in which Keith had deposited 
some of his money, for the amount due to S., 
and the detective's reward. Keith demurred a 
little to the latter demand, but finally yielded to 
moral suasion ; and next day S. presented the 
check, which was paid. Sandy Keith was sup- 
posed by those who had known him, to have been 
lost among the common herd of low swindlers and 
rogues, for none of them would have given him 
credit for enterprise or sagacity. He emerged, 
however, from obscurity, to perpetrate the most 
horrible and devilishly ingenious crime of the 
century ; for it was he who under the name of 
Thomassen blew up the " City of Bremen " with 
his infernal machine. Those who have read the 



180 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCK ADE-EUNNER. 

account of that dreadful tragedy will remember 
that the explosion was precipitated by the fall of 
the box containing dynamite from a cart, or 
wheelbarrow, conveying it to the steamer. The 
hammer was set, by clockwork apparatus, to ex- 
plode the dynamite after the departure of the 
steamer from England and when near mid-ocean, 
and Keith, confiding in the efficacy of the arrange- 
ment, was actually about to take passage in the 
steamer from Bremerhaven as far as England. 
Many persons believe that the " City of Boston " 
was destroyed some years ago by this incarnate 
fiend, and by the same means. That calamity 
carried mourning into many households in Keith's 
native city, for a large number of its most respect- 
able citizens were on board. It will be remem- 
bered that she was supposed at the time to have 
foundered at sea in a gale of wind. 

I had been furnished, before leaving Richmond, 
with letters to parties in Canada, who, it was be- 
lieved, could give valuable aid to the expedition. 
To expedite matters, a trustworthj' agent, a canny 
Scotchman, who had long served under my com- 
mand, was dispatched to Montreal, via Portland, to 
notify these parties that we were on our way there. 
Our emissary, taking passage in a steamer bound 



THE EXPEDITION. 181 

to Portland, passed safely through United States 
territory, while the rest of lis commenced our long 
and devious route through the British Provinces. 
Wherever we travelled, even through the remotest 
settlements, recruiting agents for the United States 
army were at work, scarcely affecting to disguise 
their occupation ; and the walls of the obscurest 
country taverns bristled with advertisements like 
the following: "Wanted for a tannery in Maine 
one thousand tanners to whom a large bonus will 
be paid, etc." Many could not resist such allure- 
ments, but it was from this class and similar ones, 
no doubt, that the " bounty jumpers " sprang. It 
has been asserted, by those who were in a position 
to form a correct estimate, that the British Prov- 
inces, alone, contributed one hundred thousand 
men to the Federal army. It is scarcely an exag- 
geration to add, that the population of the civil- 
ized world was subsidized. 

We were seven days in making the journey to 
Montreal, where my faithful agent met me by ap- 
pointment, and carried me to the residence of 
Captain M., a zealous and self-sacrificing friend to 
the cause, and to whom I had been accredited. He 
looked steadily at me for a moment after our in- 
troduction, and then said " I have met you once 



182 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-KUNNEK. 

before." He recalled to iny memory the fact, 
that while I commanded the battery at Acquia 
Creek in the early part of the war, he had brought 
a schooner loaded with arms, etc., up the Potomac, 
and succeeded in placing her under the protection 
of our batteries ; having profited by a cold, dark, 
and inclement night, to evade the vigilance of the 
gunboats. Subsequently he and his family were 
compelled to leave Baltimore, and were now refu- 
gees in Canada. Colonel K., also a refugee and 
an inmate of Captain M.'s house, and to whom, 
likewise, I carried letters, enlisted enthusiastically 
in the expedition, and devoted his whole time and 
energies to its success. We might, indeed, have 
obtained a large number of recruits from among 
refugees and escaped prisoners in Canada, but it 
was not considered prudent to increase the size of 
the x^ai'ty to any extent, our number being quite 
sufficient, under the plan as devised. But we 
picked up two or three escaped prisoners from 
Johnson's Island ; among them an individual who 
was well known to Colonel Finney (a member of 
the expedition) ; having been in the Colonel's em- 
ployment on the plains previous to the war. The 
Colonel was the right hand of Major Ficklin in or- 
ganizing and putting into operation the " pony 



THE EXPEDITION DEFEATED. 183 

express," which used to traverse the continent from 
St. Louis to San Francisco, and our recruit, 
Thompson, was one of his trusted subordinates. 
This man had led a very adventurous life. He 
informed us that after making his escape from 
Johnson's Island on the ice one dark winter night, 
he walked into Sandusky, and there laid in wait 
at the entrance of a dark alley for a victim with 
whom to exchange clothing. His patience being 
rewarded after a while, he laid violent hands upon 
his prize, and directed him to divest himself of his 
suit. The stranger replied, that he would not 
only supply him with clothing, but with money 
to make his way into Canada ; adding that he had 
a son in the Confederate army. He gave Thomp- 
son the contents of his purse, and requesting him to 
wait till he could go home, soon returned with a 
full suit of clothes. 

We had reliable information to the eifect that 
the garrison at Johnson's Island was small, and 
that the United .States sloop of war Michigan was 
anchored off the island as an additional guard. If 
the sloop of war could be carried by boarding, 
and her guns turned upon the garrison, the rest 
would be easy of accomplishment ; and there ap- 
peared to be no obstacle to the seizure of as many 



184 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

vessels in Sandusky harbor, as might be required 
for purposes of transportation. They were to be 
towed ov^er to the Canada shore, about twenty-five 
miles distant. There were several difficulties to be 
overcome ; the chief one being how to notify the 
prisoners of the attempt about to be made. This 
was accomplished after several visits to Baltimore 
and Washington, by the brave and devoted Mrs. M. 
and her daughter; and finally the wife of General 

obtained permission from the authorities at 

Washington, to visit her husband, then a prisoner 
on Johnson's Island. Although the interview be- 
tween them was brief, and in the presence of 
witnesses, she contrived to place in his hand a slip 
of paper, which informed him that our progress 
would appear in the New York Herald's " Per- 
sonals " over certain initials, and so disguised as to 
be intelligible only to those who were initiated. 
Next, it was important to know the exact condi- 
tion of affairs in Sandusky, up to the time of our 
departure from Canada ; and this was effected 
through the agency of a gallant gentleman, a re- 
tired British army officer, who went over to San- 
dusky upon the pretext of duck shooting, and 
who by a pre-arranged vocabulary, conveyed daily 
intelligence to us up to the time of our departure 



THE FAILURE. 185 

from Montreal. Everything progressed favorably, 
until we began to make final preparations for de- 
parture. Colonel K., who knew personally the 
manager of an English line of steamers upon the 
lakes, and confided in the integrity of the man, 
recommended him as most competent to give val- 
uable information ; and to him, under the seal of 
confidence, I applied. The only interview be- 
tween us, (and in the presence of Colonel K.) was 
brief, and the object of the expedition was not di- 
vulged to him ; nor was it intimated to him that 
any hostile act was contemplated ; but he probably 
drew the inference. His replies to my questions 
were so unsatisfactory that I never saw him again, 
having recourse to other sources of information. 

It was arranged that our party should take 
passage on board one of the American lake steam- 
ers at a little port on the Welland Canal. "We were 
disguised as immigrants to the west ; our arms 
being shipped as mining tools ; and when clear of 
the canal, we were to rise upon the crew, and make 
our way to Sandusky. As the Michigan was an- 
chored close to the main channel of the harbor, and 
we had provided ourselves with grapnels, it was be- 
lieved that she could be carried by surprise. We 
had sent ofi' our last " Personal " to the New York 



186 NAKKATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

Herald, informing our friends at Jolmson's Island 
" that the carriage would be at the door on or 
about the tenth ;" our party had collected at 
the little port on the canal waiting for the steamer 
then nearly due, when a proclamation was issued 
by the Governor General, which fell among us 
like a thunderbolt. It was announced in this 
proclamation, that it had come to the knowledge 
of the Government that a hostile expedition was 
about to embark from the Canada shores, and the 
infliction of divers pains and penalties was threat- 
ened against all concerned in the violation of the 
neutrality laws. What was even more fatal to 
our hopes, we learned that His Excellency had no- 
tified the United States Government of our con- 
templated expedition. 

Our good friend sojourning at Sandusky aban- 
doned his duck shooting in haste, (for the news 
sped across the frontier,) bringing intelligence 
that the garrison at Johnson's Island had been in- 
creased, and such other measures adopted as to 
render our success impossible. I called a council 
of the senior officers, who unanimously recom- 
mended that the attempt be abandoned ; and so 
ended all our hopes. We learned, from what was 
believed by some to be a reliable source, that the 



AN EXPERIMENT. 187 

informant against us was the manager, alluded to 
above, who betrayed us at the last moment. 

There was a possibility of a successful issue to 
this enterprise, but not a probability. The Ameri- 
can Consul at Halifax possessed intelligence and 
zeal ; and he could easily have traced our course, 
by means of a detective, up to the very point of 
our departure on the Welland Canal. It is quite 
probable, indeed, that we were closely watched 
through the whole route, for immediately after 
the proclamation was issued, two or three detec- 
tives, no longer aifecting disguise, dogged my 
footsteps for several days, with the intention I sus- 
pected of carrying me " vi et armis " across the fron- 
tier. But they were, in turn, subjected to as close 
an espionage by several members of the expedition, 
who were prepared for any emergency. " The 
engineer would have been hoisted with his own 
petard " probably, if they had attempted the 
arrest. That dare-devil Thompson, in fact, pro- 
posed one night that I should take a walk alone 
along the canal, and see what would come of it, 
but I declined the invitation. 

One plan of releasing the Johnson's Island 
prisoners was to purchase a steamer in England, 
through the agency of Captain Bullock, load her 



188 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

with a cargo, and clear from the Custom House 
" for a market " on the lakes. — Tlie chief obstacle 
to this plan would have been the passage, unsus- 
pected, through the Welland Canal, but it was be- 
lieved that, by proper discretion and management, 
this might have been accomplished, and the rest 
would have been easy ; for all that was expected 
of any expedition was to carry the Michigan by 
surprise ; the prisoners upon the island cooperat- 
ing by attacking and overpowering the garrison. 

As there was no farther necessity for keeping 
our movements secret, the whole party started to- 
gether on the return to Halifax. We followed 
the route from " Kiviere du Loup " overland by 
stage, or rather in sleighs, for the ground was al- 
ready covered with snow, and the steamers had 
stopped running for the season, upon the beautiful 
picturesque St. John's River; and our way lay 
through a cheerless and sparsely populated 
country for nearly the whole distance. We were 
able too, without indiscretion, to accept the hospi- 
talities of our friends in Halifax, during our brief 
stay there. But duty called us back to the Con- 
federacy, and passage was engaged for the whole 
party by the first steamer (the Alpha,) to sail for 
Bermuda. 



CHAPTER XII. 

Take Command of the " Whisper." — High Rates of Freight. 
— Confederate Money and Sterling Exchange. — An 
Investment in Cotton. — The Ill-fated Ironclad. — The 
Point Lookout Expedition and its Failure. — A Faithful 
Servant and a Narrow Escape. — Futile Projects. — 
Wilmington during the War. — Light Houses reestab- 
j lished. — Gloomy Prospects of the South. 

A RRIYING there, after a five or six day's voy- 
-^-*- age, we found many blockade-runners at 
anchor in St. George's harbor ; and application 
was made to me to take command of one of them, 
called the " Whisper," just out from England. 
She was a fair specimen of her class. Built 
expressly for speed and light draft, her frame was 
very slight, but she was a capital sea boat, and 
made several successful trips. There was a strik- 
ing contrast, however, between her and the 
solidly built, magnificent " Lee." After all 
arrangements had been completed for the trans- 
portation to the Confederacy of our party, I 
iassumed command of the little " Whisper," with 



190 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

six or eight of the party as passengers. I remem- 
ber m}' astonishment at learning the rates for 
freight at this period. The " Whisper " was 
loaded and ready for sea, and I was dining with 
Mr. Campbell, the agent of the company, when a 
person asked to see him upon pressing business. 
The purpose of the visitor was, to ship by the 
Whisper a small lot of medicines. As the vessel 
was already heavily laden, Mr. Campbell refer- 
red him to me, and I consented to take the box in 
the cabin. The freight upon it was £500 
sterling ! * 

* Mr. Campbell had given me a bill of exchange for 
just this amount to take command of the steamer during 
the inward trip. As the Whisper belonged to a private 
company, I accepted the bonus without scruple. What 
became of it, and the value of Confederate currency at that 
time may be seen by the following — 

" Invoice of 123 bales cotton purchased and stored at 
Columbus, Georgia, for account of 

Captain John Wilkinson. 
Feb. 27, 1864. By W. W. Garrard. 

2 Bales weighing 1,085 lbs. 

4 " " 2,219 

5 " " 3,241 
5 " " 2,655 

107 " " 52,833 

62,033 at 72f $45,051 46 



THE ESCAPE. 191 

Six blockade-runners, including the Whisper, 
sailed for Wihnington within twenty-four hours 
of each other. The voyage across was stormy, 
and the sky so overcast as to compel us to run by 
dead-reckoning, until we had crossed the Gulf 
Stream, early on the third day. We had been 
steaming against a strong gale the whole time. 
These cold north-westers brought disaster upon 
many blockade-runners ; for blowing over the 

CHARGES. 
State tax on investment,. . . $225 26 
Commission for purchasing. 2252 57 

C. S. wartax 337 89 

2815 72 
E. & O E. $47,867 18 

Signed, Power, Low & Co. 
Wilmington, March 2, 1864. 
Captain J. Wilkinson 

In ace. with Power, Low & Co. 
March 2, 1864. To Invoice 123 bales cotton 

at Columbus, Georgia, 47,867 18 

Cr. 
Feb. 17. By proceeds W. L. Campbell's 

Exchange on London £500 at 2100 46,666 66 



Wilmington, Balance due us, $1,200 52 

March 2, 1864. Signed, Power, Low & Co. 

" The cotton was destroyed at the very close of the war 
by a party of raiders commanded, I believe, by General 
Wilson. If he were the same individual for whom I was 
once mistaken (as will be seen in the sequel) he served me 
two very ill turns. 



192 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

tepid water of the Gulf Stream, clouds of vapor 
would rise like steam, and be condensed by the 
cold wind into a fog so dense as to obscure every 
object. At such times, the skill and perseverance 
of the navigator would be taxed to the utmost. 
A glimpse of the sun, moon, or north star, caught 
through the sextant wet with spray, and brought 
down to a most uncertain horizon, would furnish 
the only means of guidance, where an error of a 
few miles in the calculation would probably prove 
fatal. Upon reaching soundings on the western 
edge of the "stream," about eleven o'clock in the 
forenoon, we succeeded in catching a glimpse of 
the sun, and thus ascertaining our position. The 
sea was still running very high, but the weather 
had moderated considerably, and we found our- 
selves not more than fortj' miles south-east of the 
western bar. The Whisper had fared badly, 
while running in the teeth of the gale; all of our 
boats, except one, had been swept from the davits, 
and the wheel houses had been stove in. As there 
was no further necessity to strain the hull and 
engines, the little craft was brought near the 
wind under low steam, and close-reefed main- 
sail; riding the long rolling seas like a sea-gull. 
To windward the sky soon became clear, but we 



POINT LOOKOUT PRISONERS. 193 

took care not to get far away from the dense fog 
to leeward of us. We did not see a cruiser, 
while we lay for many hours anxiously waiting 
for night. As the sun set, the order was given 
to go at full speed, and before midnight we had 
passed safely through the blockading fleet, and 
had come to anchor off Smithville. Out of the 
six steamers which sailed from St. George's, the 
Whisper alone succeeded in getting in. Most 
of them were run ashore, and their cargoes par- 
tially saved ; but some fell, intact, into the hands 
of the vigilant cruisers. 

After a few weeks' service on board the ill- 
fated ironclad, built in Wilmington, I was sum- 
moned by telegram to Richmond. The Confed- 
erate authorities were then projecting an attempt 
to release the Point Lookout prisoners. There 
appeared to be no insuperable obstacle in the way ; 
and it was believed that the prisoners, if released, 
and furnished with arms, would be able to join 
the forces under the command of General Early, 
then in the vicinity. Two steamers of light 
draft were to be loaded with arms, etc., and were 
to carry, in addition to their crews, an infantry force 
under the command of General Custis Lee. In the 
event of success, the steamers were to be burned. 
9 



194 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

On mj waj to Richmond, my life was saved 
bj the presence of mind of my faithful servant 
(Essex.) who accompanied me on a visit to his 
home in Yirginia. General Wilson had just 
made a very destructive raid along the line of the 
Richmond and Danville Railroad, striking the 
road at Burkeville, and effectually damaging it as 
far as Meherrin Bridge, a distance of thirty 
miles or more, where his progress was stopped. 
He did not return within General Grant's lines 
without heavy loss ; and when I arrived at 
Ream's Station, on the Petersburg and Weldou 
road, I found there a strong force of Confeder- 
ate cavalr}', under General Chambliss, waiting to 
intercept the retreat. As I was bearer of dis- 
patches fj'om General Whiting to General Lee, 
a hand car, with two men to work it, was detailed 
for me, and with my servant on board we started 
to run the gauntlet between the lines. The dis- 
tance to be accomplished was about seven miles, 
and M-e had passed over more, than half of it, when 
one of our " videttes " suddenly made his appear- 
ance, and we halted to inquire about the state of 
affairs ahead. Ilis report was satisfactory, and 
we started again, but had only gone a short dis- 
tance when we saw a squad of cavalry, which we 



A NAEROW ESCAPE. 195 

supposed to be part of General Wilson's force, 
charging rapidly after us. The highway lay 
close alongside the railroad, and our pursuers 
were enveloped in a cloud of dust. The car was 
stopped, or rather the men who were working the 
crank incontinently took to their heels, and we 
followed their example. There was a fence a 
few rods from the road, which I succeeded in 
reaching, and over which I jumped, just before 
our pursuers overtook us. As they forced their 
horses over it, I discovered ray friend, the 
" vidette'' among them, who cried out as he saw 
me " TAa^ is General Wilson, kill him?" and I 
have not the least doubt his advice would have 
been followed, but for Essex, who cried out from 
a snug corner, where he was ensconced, " For 
God's sake, don't shoot I He is one of your best 
friends ! " They lowered their pistols, and I had 
an opportunity to explain matters. My gold 
watch and chain had probably excited the cupid- 
ity of my friend above mentioned. I admit that 
I felt uncharitable towards him, and when I 
hinted my suspicions of his motives to the officer 
in command of the squad, he did not deny the 
probability of a caiise for them, but seemed to 
consider me unreasonable in expecting to find all 



196 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

the virtues in a " high private," who was receiv- 
ing scanty fare, and $8 a month in Confederate 
money ! The party escorted us within the lines. 

After all the details of the expedition had 
been arranged in Richmond, the naval portion of 
it was ordered to "Wilmington under my com- 
mand. On our journey, we followed the route 
previously pursued by the raiders from Burke- 
ville to Meherrin Bridge. Nearly every foot of 
the way was marked by evidences of the havoc of 
war ; and the air was tainted with the stench 
from the dead horses and mules, whose throats 
had been cut when the}' could travel no farther. 

There were sufficient reasons why I took no 
subsequent part in the expedition, the naval 
portion of it being placed under the command of 
Captain J. T. Wood, of the Confederate States 
Navy and also one of the President's aids. It 
failed, however, owing to the fact that secretly as 
all the preparations had been made, information 
of it was speedily conveyed to the autliorities at 
Washington, and prompt measures taken to pre- 
vent its success. The steamers had dropped 
down the Cape Fear River, and were on the 
very point of putting to sea wlien countermand- 
ing orders were telegraphed from Richmond ; 



LTGHT-HOUSES. 197 

for the Confederate Government, through their 
secret sources of information, had been promptly 
notified of the fact that the plot had been 
betrayed to the United States authorities. 
How the Federal Government obtained its intel- 
ligence will, perhaps, forever remain a mystery 
to the public ; but there was a very general 
belief in the Confederacy, that an individual near 
the President was a paid traitor to the cause. 

These futile projects for the release of 
prisoners, serve to show the desperate straits to 
which the Confederacy was reduced, for want of 
soldiers. 

It was deemed expedient, at this period, to 
reestablish the light on Smith's Island, which had 
been discontinued ever since the commencement 
of hostilities ; and to erect a structure for a light 
on the Mound. At the beginning of the war, 
nearly all of the lights along the Southern coast 
had been discontinued ; the apparatus being 
removed to places of safety. 

Under special instructions, I was charged with 
the duties of relighting the approaches to the 
Cape Fear Biver, and of detailing pilots, and 
signal officers to the blockade-runners. To pro- 
vide the means of light, evey blockade-runner 



198 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-KUNNEE. 

was required to bring in a barrel of sperm oil. 
In addition to these aids to navigation, the sig- 
nal stations were extended farther along the coast, 
and compulsory service was required of the pilots. 
Owing to the constantly increasing vigilance of 
the blockading fleet, and the accession to the 
navy of fast cruisers, many prizes had been cap- 
tured of late. Their pilots were, of course, held 
as prisoners of war ; and the demand for those 
available for service, increasing in proportion to 
their diminished number, there was much compe- 
tition between the rival companies, to the great 
detriment of the public service.* It was consid- 
ered necessary, therefore, to establish an office 
of " Orders and Detail " at Wilmington, whence 
should proceed all orders and assignments 
in relation to pilots and signal officers. In a 
short time, the benefit of these arrangements was 
very perceptible. The blockade-runners were 

* One or two agents of the blockade-running com- 
panies were opposed to any project for increasing the 
facilities of entrance to or exit from Wilmington. The 
profits were of course proportionate to the risks, and these 
heartless worshipers of Mammon, having secured the 
services of the best captains and pilots, would have rejoiced 
to see every blockade-runner, but their own, captured. They 
protested vehemently, but unavailiugly, against interfer- 
ence with their pilots. 



WILMINGTON DURING THE WAR. 199 

never delayed for want of a pilot, and the casu- 
alties were ranch diminished. 

The staid old town of Wilmington was turned 
"topsy turvy'' during the war. Here resorted 
the speculators from all parts of the South, to 
attend the weekly auctions of imported cargoes ; 
and the town was infested with I'ognes and despera- 
does, who made a livelihood by robbery and mur- 
der. It was unsafe to venture into the suburbs at 
night, and even in daylight, there were frequent 
conflicts in the public streets, between the crews 
of the steamers in port and the soldiers stationed 
in the town, in which knives and pistols would 
be freely used ; and not unfrequently a dead 
body would rise to the surface of the water in one 
of the docks with marks of violence upon it. 
The civil authorities were powerless to prevent 
crime. "Inter arma silent leges!" The agents 
and employes of the different blockade-running 
companies, lived in magnificent style, paying a 
king's ransom (in Confederate money) for their 
household expenses, and nearly monopolizing the 
supplies in the c»untry market. Towards the 
end of the war, indeed, fresh provisions were 
almost beyond the reach of every one. Our fam- 
ily servant, newly arrived from the country in 



200 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

Virginia, would sometimes return from market 
with an empty basket, having flatly refused to 
pay what he called "such nonsense prices" for a 
bit of fresh beef, or a handful of vegetables. 
A quarter of Iamb, at the time of which I now 
write, sold for $100, a pound of tea for $500. 
Confederate money which in September, 1861, 
was nearly equal to specie in value, had declined 
in September 1862 to 225 ; in the same month, 
in 1863, to 400, and before September, 1864, to 
2000! 

Many of the permanent residents of the town 
had gone into the country, letting their houses at 
enormous prices; those who were compelled to 
remain kept themselves much secluded ; the 
ladies rarely being seen upon the more public 
streets. Many of the fast young officers belong- 
ing to the army would get an occasional leave to 
come to Wilmington ; and would live at free 
quarters on board the blockade-runners, or at one 
of the numerous bachelor halls ashore. 

Tlie convalescent soldiers from the Virginia 
hospitals were sent by the route through 
Wilmington to their homes in the South. The 
ladies of the town were organized by Mrs. De R. 
into a society for the purpose of ministering to 



i 



CAKING FOB SICK SOLDIERS. 201 

the wants of these poor sufferers; the trains 
which carried them stopping an hour or two at 
the depot, that their wounds might be dressed, 
and food and medicine supplied to them. These 
self-sacrificing, heroic women patiently and faith- 
fully performed the offices of hospital nurses. 

" ! there are angels in this world unheeded, 
Who, when their earthly labor is laid down. 
Will soar aloft, with pinions unimpeded, 
And wear their starry glory like a crown 1 " 

Liberal contributions were made by compa- 
nies and individuals to this society, and the long 
tables at the depot were spread with delicacies 
for tlie sick, to be found nowhere else in the 
Confederacy. The remains of the meals were 
carried by the ladies to a camp of mere boys — 
homeguards outside of the town. Some of these 
children were scarcely able to carry a musket, 
and were altogether unable to endure the expos- 
ure and fatigues of field service ; and they 
suffered fearfully from measles, and typhoid fever. 
General Grant used a strong figure of speech, 
when he asserted, that " the cradle and the grave 
were robbed, to recruit the Confederate armies." 
The fact of a fearful drain upon the population 
was scarcely exaggerated, but with this difference 
9* 



202 NAEKATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

in the metaphor, that those who were verging 
upon both the cradle and the grave, shared the 
hardships and dangers of war, with equal self- 
devotion to the cause. It is true that a class of 
heartless speculators infested the country, who 
profited by the scarcity of all sorts of supplies, 
but it makes the self-sacrifice of the mass of the 
Southern people more conspicuous, and no State 
made more liberal voluntary contributions to the 
armies, or furnished better soldiers, than North 
Carolina. 

"When General A. P. Hill asked for the pro- 
motion of some of his officers in June, 18G3, the 
President laid down the rule of selection for the 
guidance of the Secretary of War, viz : " the State 
which had the greatest number of regiments 
should be entitled to the choice of positions ; to 
be taken from the candidates of its citizens, accor- 
ding to qualifications," etc. It appeared that 
North Carolina stood first on the list, Virginia 
second, Georgia third, etc. 

On the opposite side of the river from 
Wilmington, on a low marshy flat, were erected 
the steam cotton presses, and there the blockade- 
runners took in their cargoes. Sentries were post- 
ed on the wharves, day and night, to prevent 



FATE OF THE IRONCLAD. 203 

deserters from getting on board, and stowing 
themselves away ; and the additional precaution 
of fumigating the outward bound steamers at 
Smithville, was adopted ; but in spite of this 
vigilance, manj'' persons succeeded in getting a 
free passage abroad. These deserters, or " stow- 
awa^ys," were in most instances sheltered by 
one or more of the crew ; in which event they 
kept their places of concealment until the steamer 
had arrived at her port of destination, wlien they 
would profit by the first opportunity to leave the 
vessel undiscovered. A small bribe w^ould tempt 
the average blockade-running sailor to connive at 
this means of escape. The " impecunious " desert- 
er fared more hardly ; and would, usually, be 
forced by hunger and thirst to emerge from his 
hiding place, while the steamer was on the out- 
ward voyage. A cruel device, employed by one 
of the captains, effectually put a stop, I believe, 
certainly a check to the escape of this class of 
" stowaways." He turned three or four of them 
adrift in the Gulf Stream, in an open boat, with 
a pair of oars, and a few days' allowance of bread 
and water. 

The ironclad, to which I had been attached 
for a short time, made her first and last essay 



1 



204r NAEKATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

while I was on special duty at Wilmington. 
Having crossed New Inlet Bar early one morn- 
ing, she steamed at her best speed towards the 
hlockading-fleet, which kept beyond the range of 
her guns with much ease. After " raising the 
blockade " for an hour or two, she steamed back 
across the bar, grounded upon the " rip," broke 
her back, and doubtless remains there to this day, 
buried fathoms deep in the quicksands. 

The prospects of the South were growing 
more and more gloomy with each succeeding 
day ; and the last hopes of the country now 
rested upon that gallant army of Northern Vir- 
ginia, which, under its great captain, still con- 
fronted General Grant's forces around Petersburg. 
It is easy now by the light of subsequent events 
to censure Mr. Davis for the removal of General 
Johnston from the command of the army in 
Georgia ; but who does not remember how, pre- 
vious to that unfortunate measure, the whole 
Southern press, almost without an exception, 
were urging it ? It may be that the President 
was not indisposed to gratify his inclination, and 
at the same time appease the public. I do not 
presume to express an opinion on this point; 
being no partisan of either, but a sincere admirer 



REMOVAL OF JOHNSTON. 205 

of both these distinguished individuals, and cred- 
iting both with strict veracity and unselfish hon- 
esty of purpose. But the fact remains that the 
press teemed with articles denouncing General 
Johnston's retrograde movements. A spurious 
telegram, concocted by some facetious editor, to 
the effect that General Johnston had ordered 
means of transportation for his army to Nassau, 
was circulated through all the newspapers for the 
public amusement. But the old army oificers 
were shocked at the intelligence of his removal 
from command. When the fact was officially 
announced, all of them, whom 1 had an opportu- 
nity of hearing speak upon the subject, expressed 
the gravest fears of the consequences ; General 
Whiting, especially, declaring his conviction that 
it was a fatal measure; and it is certain that 
General Johnston's army was enthusiastically 
devoted to him ; officers and men, with few 
exceptions, reposing unbounded confidence in 
him. 

Concurrent testimony has since conclusively 
proven how grave a mistake was committed. 
General Hooker, who served in that campaign 
under General Sherman, writes "This retreat 
was so masterly, that I regard it as a useful 



206 NAERATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

lesson for study for all persons who may hereafter 
elect for their calling the profession of arms." 
" The news that General Johnston had been 
removed from the command of the army opposed 
to us, was received by our officers with universal 
rejoicing." " One of the prominent historians of 
the Confederacy ascribes the misfortunes of the 
'Lost Cause' to the relief of General Johnston. 
I do not think this, but it certainly contributed 
materially to hasten its collapse." Indeed the 
Confederate Government seems subsequently to 
have admitted its mistake, and the injustice 
inflicted upon General Jolmston, by reinstating 
him in the command of the " army of the South," 
and with orders " to concentrate all available 
forces, and drive back Sherman." This, however, 
Was not till February, 1865, when the " available 
forces " amounted to about 16,000 men, and 
General Sherman's army of 70,000, had reached 
the State of North Carolina unopposed. When 
General Johnston turned over the command to 
General Hood, the army consisted of 36,900 
infantry 3,750 artillery, and 9,970 cavalry, a total 
of 50,620 well equipped troops. " In returning 
from its disastrous expedition against Nashville, 
the army of Tennessee had halted in north-eastern 



ARMY OPINIONS. 207 

Mississippi. A large proportion of these troops 
were then fiirloughed by General Hood, and 
went to their homes. When General Sherman's 
army invaded South Carolina, General Beaure- 
gard ordered those remaining on duty to repair to 
that State * * * The remaining troops of that 
army were coming through Georgia in little 
parties * * * at least two-thirds of the arms of 
these troops had been lost in Tennessee." * In 
General Johnston's Narrative, page 351, he says 
" The troops themselves, who had been seventy- 
four days in the immediate presence of the 
enemy, laboring and fighting daily ; enduring 
trial and encountering dangers with equal cheer- 
fulness; more confident and high-spirited even 
than when the Federal army presented itself 
before them at Dalton ; and though I say it, fall 
of devotion to him who had commanded them, 
and belief of ultimate success in the campaign, 
were then inferior to none who ever served the 
Confederacy, or fought on the Continent," and 
on page 356 : " I believed then, as firmly as I do 

* General Jolinstou's Narrative page 374. It appears 
from the same distinguished authority that of all that gal- 
lant array not more than 5,000 were erer reassembled ; and 
a large portion of these continued without arms to the end 
of the war. 



208 NAERATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-EUNNEK. 

now, that the system pursued was the only one 
at my command, that promised success, and that, 
if adhered to, would have given us success." 
Many among those most competent to judge 
entertained the same conviction. His removal 
from the command was, indeed, a mortal blow to 
the cause. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

Cruise of the Chickamauga. — Mr. Mallory's inefficiency. — 
Troubles in Bermuda. — The three Weeks. — End of the 
Cruise. 

"TN the latter part of September, 1864, I was 
-^ ordered to the command of the " Chickamau- 
ga," a doable screw steamer converted into a 
so-called man of war. She was one of those ves- 
sels before alluded to in this narrative, as partly 
owned by the Confederate Government, and was 
taken possession of by the government author- 
ities with scant regard for the rights of the other 
owners, who had no alternative but to accept 
inadequate compensation for their share of the 
vessel. Her battery consisted of a twelve- 
pounder rifled gun forward, a sixty-four pounder 
amidships, and a thirty-two pounder rifle aft, all 
on pivots. She was more substantially built than 
most of the blockade-runners, and was very swift, 
but altogether unfit for a cruiser, as she could 
only keep the sea while her supply of coal lasted. 
She was schooner rigged, with very short masts, 



210 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

and her sails were cliieflj serviceable to steady 
her in a sea-way. Under all sail and off the wind, 
without steam, she could not make more than 
three knots with a stiff breeze ; hy the wind 
under the same circumstances, she had not even 
steerage way. Captain J. T. Wood, of tlie 
Confederate Navy, had just returned from a 
" raid " along the Northern coast, and the incom- 
petent Secretary of the Navy conceived, no doubt, 
that he had hit upon a happy idea when it 
occurred to his muddled brain, to send these 
vessels out to harass the coasting trade and 
fisheries of the North.* As a mere question of 
policy, it would have been far better to have kept 
them employed carrying out cotton and bringing 
in the supplies of which the array was so sorely in 

* It is very far from my intention, by these remarks, 
to condemn the depredations of the Confederate cruisers 
upon the Federal commerce, or the policy which dictated 
the fitting of them out. But there appears to me to be a 
wide diiference between the destruction of ships and car- 
goes belonging to capitalists, who contributed by their 
means and influence to the support of the Federal Govern 
ment, and the burning of fishing craft manned by poor 
men, who relied upon the " catch" of the trip for the means 
of feeding and clothing their families. But I will not 
expatiate upon the " sentiment" involved in the subject, 
for fear of incurring the reproach cast by Sir Peter Teazle 
upon that very humane and sentimental character, Joseph 
Surface, whose actions differed so widely from his words. 



PKOVISONING THE ARMY, 211 

need. The attack upon Fort Fisher was probably 
precipitated by these expeditions, which could in 
no wise affect the real issues of the war. But 
Mr. Mallory was from first to last an incubus 
upon the country. I do not impugn his patriot- 
ism, nor his private character, but his official 
imbecility, which wrought much damage to the 
cause, is a legitimate object for censure. 

At this period Atlanta had been captured, and 
a large portion of Georgia was practically severed 
from the Confederacy. It was becoming more 
and more difficult to provision the troops. The 
Subsistence Department of the Confederate Gov- 
ernment has been often censured for its alleged 
mismanagement. I. have personal knowledge of 
an instance where it resented the interference 
of a subordinate. Major Magruder, General 
Whiting's chief Commissary, had effected what 
he believed to be a mutually beneficial arrange- 
ment with the farmers of western North Carolina. 
He was to furnish salt and transportation, (the 
former a very rare and costly commodity at that 
time, and the latter difficult to be obtained) ; and 
in return, they were to supply his department 
with the cured bacon. The arrangement, when 
reported to the Department at Richmond, was 



212 NARKATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

cancelled, and the Major, a very zealous and com- 
petent officer, was ordered elsewhere. Surely 
there must have been grave mismanagement 
somewhere ; for, several months after the period 
of which I now write, and when the army of 
Northern Virginia was almost reduced to starva- 
tion in February, 1865, there were stored "in 
the principal railroad depots between Charlotte, 
Danville and Weldon inclusive, rations for 60,000 
men for more than four months," and these pro- 
visions were for the exclusive use of the army in 
Yirginia. The fact was ascertained by taking 
account of those stores, which was done by order 
of General Johnston, '* and the very zealous and 
efficient officer. Major Charles Carrington, who 
was at the head of the service of collecting provis- 
ions in North Carolina for the army, was increas- 
ing the quantity rapidly." " The officers of the 
commissariat in North Carolina, upon whom the 
army in Yirginia depended for subsistence, were 
instructed by the Commissary General just then, 
to permit none of the provisions they collected to 
be used by the troops serving in it." * 

We sailed in the Chickamauga on the night 
of October 29th, with a motley crew, and passed 

* From General Johnston's Narrative, pages 374, 375. 



PASSING THE BLOCKADE. 213 

through the blockading fleet without receiving 
any damage from numerous shots. We had a fine 
view of several of our pursuers for a few 
moments, as they burned their signal blue light ; 
and had not crossed the bar two hours before the 
commanding officer of the fleet received infor- 
mation of the fact. Our rockets had diverted the 
pursuit to the misfortune of the blockade-runner 
" Lady Stirling," which was captured ; and from 
some of her crew, as we subsequently learned, the 
fact of our departure was ascertained. If we 
could have foreseen such an event, we might have 
tried the range of our after pivot gun with very 
good eflfect upon the blockader following in our 
wake ; but although our crew was at quarters, 
and we were prepared to fight our way to sea, we 
wished to avoid an encounter by which nothing 
was to be gained ; our chief object being to 
injure the enemy's commerce. Nearly all of the 
officers of the Chickamauga had resigned from 
the United States Navy, and I have no doubt they 
contrasted (as I could not help doing) next morn- 
ing, our spar deck encumbered with coal bags, 
and begrimed with dirt, and the ragged tatterde- 
malions leaning over the bulwarks, or stretched 
along the decks in the agonies of sea-sickness, 



214 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

with the cleanliness, order and discipline, to 
which we had been accustomed under the " Stars 
and Stripes." The condition below decks was 
even worse; the ciew sleeping upon the coal 
which was stowed in tlie hold; and the officers 
upon the softest plank they could find in the con- 
tracted cabin. In addition to a complement of 
officers for a frigate, the Secretary of the Navy 
had ordered six pilots to the vessel. As three of 
them held their " branches " for the approaches 
to Norfolk, Mr. Mallory must have expected to 
hear that we had passed under the guns of Fort- 
ress Monroe, laid Norfolk under contribution, and 
captured the Gosport Navy-yard. 

The scene upon our decks, when the sun rose 
the morning after our passage through the fleet, 
was demoralizing; and I am sure some of us felt 
as if we were indeed " pirates," although we were 
bound to deny the " soft impeachment," when 
brought against us by the Northern press. The 
exertions of the executive officer, Dozier, seconded 
by his zealous subordinates, brought some degree 
of order out of this "chaotic" mass after a while. 

Our first prize was the " Mark L. Potter," 
from Bangor for Key West, with a cargo of lum- 
ber. As there was no alternative but to destroy 



CAPTURING PRIZES. 215 

her, the oflScers and crew were transferred to the 
Chickamauga, and she was set on fire. This cap- 
ture was made on Sunday the 30th. Tlie next 
morning at T.30 a. m., when about one inindred 
and fifty miles off the Capes of DeUiware, we 
sighted a square-rigged vessel, which changed her 
course in the effort to escape, as soon as she dis- 
covered that we were steering for her. At 9.30 
we overhauled her and brought her to. It 
proved to be the barque " Emma L. Hall," loaded 
with a cargo of sugar and molasses. She was set 
on fire at 11.1.5 a. m. Hasty work was made of 
this prize, as a full rigged ship hove in sight 
while M'e were transferring the crew, and such 
stores as we needed, from the Emma L. Hall. 
The stranger bore north by west when discovered, 
and was standing almost directly toward us, with 
studding-sails and royals set to the favorable 
breeze, a cloud of snowy canvas from her grace- 
ful hull to the trucks of her tapering royalmasts. 
She approached within five or six miles, when her 
studdiiig-sails were suddenly hauled down, and 
she was brought close to the wind in an effort to 
escape from us. We soon overhauled her, and at 
1.15 were near enough to throw a shot across her 
bow, and to show the Confederate flag at our 



216 NARKATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

peak. The summons was replied to by their 
hoisting the Stars and Stripes, and heaving to. 
Our prize was the clipper ship " Shooting Star," 
bound from New York to Panama, with a cargo 
of coal for the U. S. Pacific squadron. While we 
were making preparations for burning her, 
another square rigged vessel hove in sight, steer- 
ing toward us. It proved to be the barque 
" Albion Lincoln," bound for Havana, partly in 
ballast ; and as her cargo consisted only of a 
small lot of potatoes and onions, I determined to 
bond her, and to put the prisoners, now number- 
ing sixty (the wife of the captain of the Shoot- 
ing Star among them) on board of her. In truth, 
I was relieved from an awkward dilemma by the 
opportune capture of the Albion Lincoln ; for 
there was absolutely no place for a female on 
board the Chickamauga. I do not doubt, how- 
ever, that the redoubtable Mrs. Drinkwater would 
have accommodated herself to the circumstances 
by turning me out of my own cabin. Heavens ! 
what a tongue she wielded ! The young officers 
of the Chickamauga relieved each other in boat 
duty to and fro ; and she routed every one of 
them ignominiously. 

After the Albion Lincoln had been bonded 



MONTAUK POINT. 217 

for $18,000, we were kept very busy for several 
hours paroling prisoners, etc., and in the mean- 
while a gale of wind was brewing, and the sea 
growing very rough. By six o'clock in the after- 
noon, the Lincoln was under way wifh the pa- 
roled prisoners ; her master having been put 
under oath to shape the vessel's course for For- 
tress Monroe ; and we applied the torch to the 
" Shooting Star." The burning ship was visible 
for many miles after mc left her ; and it was a 
strange, wild spectacle, that flaming beacon in the 
rough sea. The master of the " Albion Lincoln " 
shaped his course straight for New York. I hope 
his conscience has since reproached him for vio- 
lating his oath, though given to a " rebel." 

The gale increased during the night. Next 
day our course was shaped for Montauk Point ; 
the scene of the previous day's operations having 
been in about latitude 40° and longitude 71°, 
or about fifty miles southeast of Sandy Hook. 
Montauk Point was sighted from aloft about 
mid-day, and the engines were slowed down, so 
as not to approach too near the laud before 
night. We spoke several vessels during the day, 
all of them under the British flag. Toward 
night we steamed towards the land, with the 
10 



218 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

expectation of finding smoother water, for the 
wind continued to blow from the southwest. At 
5.45 p. M., we overliauled two schooners close 
in to the shore; one of them was the "Good- 
speed," from Boston to Philadelphia, in ballast ; 
and the other, the " Otter Rock," from Bangor 
for Washington with a load of potatoes. Both 
were scuttled. Our boats did not get alon2:side 
the Chiekamauga again till eight o'clock. The 
wind had been gradually veering round to the 
northeast, and the night was growing so dark and 
stormy, that I was reluctantly compelled to aban- 
don the purpose previously entertained of enter- 
ing Long Island Sound. The crew of the Good- 
speed profited by the darkness to escape in their 
boat to the land, a few miles distant. 

"We made an offing of thirty or forty miles dur- 
ing the night, and next morning captured the bark 
" Speedwell," in ballast from Boston to Philadel- 
phia. The captain's sister and his child were on 
board his vessel, and represented to be sick. I 
could not reconcile it to my sense of humanity to 
subject the weaker sex to the pi'obable dangers 
and certain hardships of confinement on board 
the Chiekamauga. The Speedwell was therefore 
bonded for $18,000, and the captain — a very 



BERMUDA AND THE GOVERNOR, 219 

decent fellow by the way — sent on his voyage 
rejoicing ; but the " recording angels " of the 
Northern press never placed this act to my 
credit. 

The northeast gale, which had been brewing 
for some days, commenced in earnest toward the 
evening. After buffeting against it for two days, 
the necessity for making a port became apparent, 
our supply of coal beginning to get low. The 
course was, therefore, shaped for Bermuda, and 
we anchored off the bar at St. George's on Mon 
day morning, I^ovember 7th. 

The Governor of the island gave us a vast 
deal of trouble and annoyance, from this time 
until we finally left port. Lending apparently a 
willing ear to the representation of the American 
Consul, he would not permit us to enter the 
harbor until after a correspondence, in which I 
stated the fact that our engines needed repairs ; 
but we lay outside twenty-four hours before even 
this permission was granted. He next forbade 
me to coal tlie ship. After a pi'otest from me 
he relented so far, onl_y, as to authorize a supply 
of coal, sufficient to carry the Chickamauga to the 
nearest Confederate port, although he had been 
officially informed that the vessel was regularly 



220 NAKKATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

commissioned, and was then on a cruise. Al- 
though I was never favored with a sight of the 
correspondence, which must have been carried on 
between the American Consul and His Excel- 
lency on the subject, I am satisfied that the 
former presented a favorable case ; but the Gov- 
ernor had no right to inquire into the antecedents 
of the Chickamauga, or to question the title by 
which she was held by the Confederate Govern- 
ment. She was, to all intents and purposes, as 
" bona fide" a man-of-war as the Florida, which 
had entered that same port, and been supplied 
with coal, and other necessaries, without question 
or molestation. But the fortunes of the Confed- 
eracy were now waning ; and his Excellency 
wished perhaps — and may have received instruc- 
tions — to keep on good terms with the winning 
side, and in disregard of the obligations of justice 
to the weaker party.* The result of his partial, 

* But there was a striking contrast during the war. 
between the conduct of the British officials, acting in their 
official capacity, towards the Confederate officers, and that 
of individuals belonging to both branches of Her Majesty's 
service; the latter, almost without an exception, expressed 
their cordial sympathy with the south, and extended many 
acts of courtesy and good feeling towards us, but the former 
scrupulously abstained from every semblance of recogni- 
tion or of sympathy. 



FOE WILMINGTON. 221 

and unfriendly course, was to bring the cruise of 
the Chickamanga to a speedy end ; for it was 
impossible for her to keep the sea without a sup- 
ply of fuel — steam, which is merely an auxiliary 
in a properly constituted man of war, being the 
Chickamauga's sole motive power. Many of onr 
crew, too, were enticed to desert; but the effi- 
ciency of the vessel was rather increased than 
diminished by our getting rid of the vagabonds. 
They were for the most part " waifs and strays," 
of Wilmington, and "skulkers" from the army, 
who had been drafted from the Receiving ship. 
They profited by liberty on shore to secrete them- 
selves, and many of them perished with the yel- 
low fever, then prevailing in Bermuda. 

We sailed from St. George's for Wilmington 
November 15th, showing our colors to several ves- 
sels on the way, all of which carried a foreign 
flag. American colors had for a long time become 
a rare sight upon the ocean, except when flying 
from the peak of a man-of-war. All of the ves- 
sels captured by the Chickamanga were either 
coasters, or traders to West India ports, and were 
scarcely off somidings on the American coast.* 

* The Shooting Star was an exception, she being char- 
tered by the government. 



222 NA.RRATIVE OF A BLOCKAUE-RUNNEK. 

The Alabama and Florida had demonstrated 
what a vast amount of injury might be inflicted 
upon an enemy's commerce by a few swift cruis- 
ers; and there is no doubt that this number 
might have been increased to any reasonable 
extent, by proper management. No sensible 
individual, I presume, really attaches any impor- 
tance to the ravings of a portion of the Northern 
press, during the war, against the " rebel pirates," 
and their depredations upon commerce. To 
destroy merchant vessels was not a pleasure, but 
it was a duty, and a matter of necessity, seeing 
that the Confederate ports were so closely block- 
aded as to render it absolutely impossible to send 
the prizes in for adjudication, and that all of tlie 
foreign powers prohibited the sending of captured 
vessels into their ports. The officers and crews 
attached to these " piratical vessels " would very 
gladly have carried or sent their prizes into a 
Confederate port ; for in that case they would 
have been equally fortunate with their confreres of 
the United States Navy, whose pockets were filled 
to repletion with the proceeds of captured pro- 
perty belonging to Confederates, on land and sea. 
We approached the coast in very thick 
weather on the nitrht of the 18th. We could 



FORT FISHER. 223 

dimly discern the breakers ahead, and close 
aboard ; but it was impossible to distinguish any 
landmark in so dense a fog. A boat was lowered 
therefore, and one of the bur pilots sent to exam- 
ine nearer, but he returned on board in the course 
of an hour, with the report that he had pulled 
close in to the surf, but could recognize no object 
on the shore, although he had rowed some dis- 
tance parallel to it, and as closely as he could 
venture. " Did you see no wrecks on the 
beach ? " I inquired. " Yes, sir," he replied, " I 
saw three." "And how were they lying?" I 
asked. He stated that two of them were "broad- 
side on" to the beach, and close together; and 
the third " bows on " to the beach, about a cable's 
length to the north of them. I was satisfied 
about our exact position at once, for while I was 
on the special service before alluded to, I had 
made a visit to Masonborough Inlet, on duty con- 
nected with the signal stations, and had noticed 
three wrecks in the positions described. The 
Chickamauga was put under low stearn, with one 
watch at quarters, and we waited for daylight to 
cross the bar. As the fog lifted, shortly after 
sunrise, two of the blockading fleet were discov- 
ered on our port quarter, steaming towards us, as 



221 NAKRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNEK* 

we were mrming down the coast towards Fort 
Fisher. When within long range they opened 
tire, which was returned by us. They were soon 
joined by a third blockader, and as we drew nearer 
to the bar, Fort Fisher took part in the engage- 
ment, and the blockaders hauled off. Shortly 
afterwards we crossed the bar, and anchored inside 
of the " Rip." 



CHAPTER XIY. 

Last Summons to Richmond. — Demoralization. — The "Cha- 
meleon." — More trouble in Bermuda. — Another Narrow 
Escape. — Fall of Fort Fisher. — Maffit's Escape, andCapt. 
S.'s Capture. — Another Hard Chase. — Failure to enter 
Charleston. — Return to Nassau. 

A NOTHER, and a longer cruise, was then 
■^-^ contemplated, and there was some prospect 
of prevailing with the Secretary of the Navy to 
lit out the ship for a cruiser, by giving herproper 
spars, providing the means of disconnecting the 
screws, and furnishing quarters for officers and 
men. But disasters to our arms were then follow- 
ing fast upon each other. General Sherman, after 
marching unopposed from Atlanta to the sea, and 
capturing Savannah, was preparing to continue 
his progress. Wilmington was threatened b}' a 
powerful sea and land force. The half starved 
and ill clad army of Northern Virginia M^as in 
the trenches around Petersburg, and the now 
contracting area of country available for sup- 
plies, had been so thoroughly drained, that it 
10* 



226 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

became a vital question how to provision the 
troops. 

I. was summoned again, and for the last time 
during the war, to Richmond. It was in the early 
part of December. There now remained to the 
Confederacy only the single line of rail commu- 
nication from Wilmington, via Greensborough, 
and Danville, to Richmond. The progress of 
demoralization was too evident at ever}' step of 
my journey, and nowhere were the poverty, and 
the straits to which the country was reduced, more 
palpably visible, than in the rickety, windowless, 
lilthy cars, traveling six or eight miles an hour, 
over the worn out rails and decaying road-bed. 
We were eighteen hours in making the distance 
(about one hundred and twenty miles) from Dan- 
ville to Richmond. As we passed in the rear of 
General Lee's lines, and I saw the scare-crow 
cattle there being slaughtered for the troops, the 
game seemed to be at last growing desperate. 
We were detained for perhaps an hour at the 
station where the cattle were being slaughtered. 
Several soldiers who were on the train, left us 
there ; and as soon as they alighted from the cars, 
they seized portions of the offal, kindled a fire, 
charred the scraps upon the points of their ram- 



THE CHAMELEON. 227 

rods, and devoured the unclean food with the 
avidity of famished tigers. 

It was arranged in Eichmond, that I should 
take command of the " Tallahassee," and proceed 
with all dispatch to Bermuda for a cargo of pro- 
visions; my late experience with the Governor 
of the island rendering it quite probable that he 
would prevent the Chickamauga from even dis- 
charffinff her car^o as a merchant vessel. That 
steamer (the Tallahassee,) of so many aliases, 
had just returned from a short cruise under 
Captain Ward of the Confederate States Navy. 
She was now christened again, and bore, thence- 
forward, the appropriate name of the " Chamel- 
eon." Her battery was dismounted, the officers 
and crew detached, and she was ostensibly sold 
to the navy agent at Wilmington. A register, 
and bill of sale, were prepared in legal form, the 
crew shipped according to the laws relating to the 
merchant service, and regular invoices and bills 
of lading made out of her cargo of cotton. The 
vessel, indeed, was so thoroughly whitewashed, 
that she subsequently passed a searching examin- 
ation in Bermuda ; but my recent experience there 
had convinced me of the necessity of adopting 
every precaution, and I was left to my own dis- 



228 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

cretion with regard to all the details ; the instruc- 
tions under which I was acting requiring nie 
only to bring in a cargo of provisions with all 
dispatch. 

The " Chameleon " was in nearly all respects 
like the Chickamauga, only a few feet longer, and 
drawing a few inches more water. 

On the afternoon of December 24th, the 
United States fleet opened tire upon Fort Fisher, 
the heavy cannonading continuing during the 
two following days. The booming of the heavy 
guns could be distinctly heard in Wilmington. 

There was a complete panic there ; the non- 
combatants moving away, and fright and confu- 
sion prevailing everywhere. The co-operating 
land forces, under General Butler, had almost 
completely invested the fort, and the communica- 
tion between it and Wilmington was at one time 
interrupted, so that it was impossible to ascertain 
the condition of affairs below. In the midst of 
the turmoil, we cast off from the wharf, about 
two o'clock in the afternoon of December 26th, 
and anchored off Smithville after dark, the tide 
not serving for crossing the bar that night. 

Next morning the " Agnes Fry," an inward 
bound blockade-runner, was discovered aground 



CAPTAIN MUKRAY. 229 

on the western bar. Towards evening two or 
three of the blockading fleet stationed oiF that bar 
steamed in, and opened fire upon her. The bom- 
bardment of the fort was still in progress. A 
little after dark, just as we were weighing our 
anchor, General Whiting, who was then in Fort 
Fisher, telegraphed to us that the United States 
land forces were embarking, the attack upon the 
fort having been abandoned. We were under 
wa,y in a few moments, closely folloM^ed by the 
Hansa, Captain Murray, and parting from her 
just as we crossed the bar. I had known the 
captain for many months, under his assumed 
name, and it was quite generally known that he 
held a commission in the British Navy. While 
I was living in Nova Scotia, some years after- 
wards, the card of Captain A. commanding H. B. 
M. ship J — n was brought to me, and I was sur- 
prised to find in the owner of it, my old friend 
Murray. Several British naval officers of rank 
and high character, were engaged in the same 
exciting and lucrative occupation of blockade-run- 
ning ; among them the gallant Captain Burgoyne, 
who commanded afterwards the unfortunate ship 
" Captain " of H. B. M.'s Navy, and who per- 



230 NARKATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNEK. 

ished togetlier with nearly the wliole crew when 
she foundered at sea. 

We crossed the bar under such favorable cir- 
cumstances, that we were not discovered; nor did 
we see any of the fleet until we had cleared the 
Frying Pan Shoals, when we easily avoided sev- 
eral vessels which had participated, no doubt, in 
the attack upon Fort Fisher, and were now about 
to take their stations off the western bar. 

We made a rapid, though a very rough voyage 
to Bermuda, a stormy northwest gale following 
us nearly the whole distance. The Prussian 
Major Yon Borcke, who had served on General 
Jeb Stewart's staff, and who afterwards published 
(in Blackwood's) his experience of the war, was a 
passenger. The Major was no sailor, and his suf- 
ferings from seasickness were much aggravated by 
a gunshot wound in his throat. As the engines of 
the "Chameleon" would "race" in the heavy sea 
following us, and her whole frame would vibrate, 
he declared in military phraseology (" our army 
swore terribly in Flanders!") that he would 
rather encounter the dangers of a " stricken field " 
than voluntarily endure an hour of such torture. 

We arrived at St. George's on the 30th of 
December ; and our troubles immediately com- 



TROUBLE AT ST. GEOKGe's. 231 

menced. It was the 5th of January before per 
mission was received to land our cargo of cotton ; 
His Excellency, the Governor having called upon 
the law ofKcers of the crown for aid in the dire 
dilemma. When the vessel's papers were at last 
pronounced correct, we discharged our cargo, and 
then arose the perplexing question of loading. I 
haven't the least doubt that the American Consul 
was sadly bothering His Excellency all this time ; 
but permission was finally granted to us to take 
in provisions but no munitions of war. As we 
did not want "hardware," as munitions of war 
were then invoiced, we proceeded to load. But 
a great deal of time had been lost, and we did not 
take our departure for Wilmington till January 
the 19th ; having on board as passengers General 
Preston and staff, returning from Europe. 

Our voyage across was very rough, and the 
night of our approach to New Inlet Bar was dark 
and rainy. Between one and two o'clock in the 
morning, as we were feeling our way with the 
lead, a light was discovered nearly ahead and a 
short distance from us. As we drew closer in 
and "sheered" the Chameleon, so as to bring 
the light abeam, I directed our signal officer to 
make the regular signal. No reply was made to 



232 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

it, although many lights now began to appear 
looming up through the drizzling rain. These 
were undoubtedly camp fires of the United States 
troops outside of Fort Fisher ; but it never occur- 
red to me as possible, that a second attack could 
have been made, and successfully in the brief 
period of time which had elapsed since our depart- 
ure from Wilmington. Believing that I had 
made some error in my day's observations, the 
Chameleon was put to sea again, as the most pru- 
dent course in the emergency. The night was 
too far spent to allow of any delay. Orders were 
therefore given to go at full speed, and by day- 
light we had made an offing of forty or fifty 
miles from the coast. Clear and pleasant weather 
enabled me to establish our position accurately — 
it was my invariable custom, at sea, during the 
war, to take my own observations — and early in 
the night we made the Mound Light ahead, for 
which I had shaped our course. The range lights 
were showing, and we crossed the bar without 
interference, but without a suspicion of any- 
thing wrong, as it would occasionally happen, 
under particularly favorable circumstances, that 
we would cross the bar without even seeing a 
blockader. We were under the £:un3 of Fort 



ESCAPE OF MAFFITT. 233 

Fislier in fact, and close to the fleet of United 
States vessels, which had crossed the bar after 
the fall of the fort, when I directed my signal 
oflicer to communicate with the shore station. 
His signal was promptly answered, but turning to 
me, he said, '•' No Confederate signal officer there, 
sir ; he cannot reply to me." The order to wear 
round was instantly obeyed ; not a moment too 
soon, for the bow of the Chameleon was scarcely 
pointed for the bar before two of the light cruis- 
ers were plainly visible in pursuit, steaming with 
all speed to intercept us. Nothing saved us from 
capture but the twin screws, which enabled our 
steamer to turn as upon a pivot in the narrow 
channel between the bar and the "rip." We 
reached the bar before our pursaers, and were 
soon lost to their sight in the darkness outside. 
Our supply of coal being limited, the course was 
shaped for Nassau as the nearer port, where we 
arrived without accident. A day or two after 
our arrival the news came of the fall of Fort 
Fisher. 

Several narrow escapes, besides our own, were 
made. MaflBtt, in command of the " Owl " 
crossed the Western Bar a night or two after the 
fall of Fort Fisher, and while our troops were 



234 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-KUNNEE. 

evacuating Fort Caswell and other military sta- 
tions along the river. Crossing the bar, and sus- 
pecting no danger, he continued on his way up 
to Smithville, where he anchored. " He was board- 
ed a few moments afterwards by a boat fi-om 
our military post there. The ofHcer in com- 
mand of the boat informed him of the captu-re 
of Fort Fisher, and that our troops were then 
evacuating Fort Caswell ; adding that several 
vessels of the Federal fleet had crossed the New 
Inlet Bar, and were at anchor in the river almost 
within hail of him. Maflitt was about to give the 
order to slip the chain, " not standing upon the 
order of his going," when his pilot begged for per- 
mission to go ashore, if only for ten minutes. He 
represented the situation of his wife, whom he 
had left ill and without means of support, in such 
moving terms, that Maffitt granted permission, 
upon condition that he would return speedily. 
The pilot was faithful to his promise, returning 
in fifteen or twenty minutes. During his absence, 
steam was raised, and the chain unshackled. As 
the pilot's foot touched the deck of the " Owl " 
again, the boat was hooked on and run up to the 
davits, the chain slipped, and the " Owl" on her 
way to sea again. 



RUNNING INTO CHAKLESTON. 235 

Another blockade-runner is said to have been 
not so fortunate. She had run the gauntlet safely, 
and come to anchor off Smithville. The tarpau- 
lins had been removed from the hatches, the 
lamps lighted, and a cold supper spread upon the 
table, at which the passengers were seated, two or 
three officers of the British army among them. 
A toast to the captain had been proposed, and 
they had just tossed off a bumper in champagne 
to his health and continued successes, aud he 
was about to reply to the compliment, when the 
officer of the deck reported that a boat was com- 
ing alongside. The captain received the officer at 
the gangway. The mail bag, according to the 
usual routine, was given to the latter for trans- 
portation to the shore ; and the customary inqui- 
ries made after the name of the vessel, cargo, 
number of passengers, etc. The astounded cap- 
tain was then informed that his vessel was a prize 
to the United States ship — then at anchor near 
him ! 

Charleston was now the only harbor on the 
Atlantic coast at all accessible, and that must 
evidently soon fall; but a cargo might be landed 
there before that inevitable catastrophe, and fully 
appreciating the exigency, I determined to make 



236 NARRATH^E OF A BLOCKADE-KUNNER. 

the effort. Even after the occupation of Wil- 
mington by the United States troops, there 
would remain an interior line of communication 
between Charleston and Virginia. The facts of 
history prove that the importance of carrying in a 
cargo of provisions was not exaggerated, for the 
army of northern Virginia was shortlj^ afterwards 
literally starving ; and during their retreat from 
the position around Petersburg the country adja- 
cent to their line of march was swarming with 
soldiers who had left the ranks in search of food. 

But it was the part of prudence to ascertain, 
positively, before sailing, that Charleston was 
still in our possession. This intelligence was 
brought by the " Chicora " which arrived at 
Nassau on the 30th of January ; and on February 
1st, the " Owl," " Carolina," " Dream," " Chico- 
ra " and " Chameleon " sailed within a few hours 
of each other for Charleston. 

The condition of affairs throughout the Con- 
federacy was far more desperate than we, who 
were abroad, had any idea of. Despondency and 
demoralization had advanced with gigantic strides 
within the past two or three eventful months. 
Admiral Semmes, in his "Memoirs of Service 
Afloat, etc," gives the following account of an 



ADMIRAL SEMMES AND GENERAL LEE. 237 

interview with General Lee : " As soon as I could 
command a leisure moment, I paid General Lee 
a visit at his head-quarters near Petersburg, and 
spent a night with him. I had served with him 
in the Mexican War. "VVe discussed together the 
critical state of the country and of his army — we 
were now near the end of January, 1865, and I 
thought the grand old chieftain and Christian 
gentleman seemed to foreshadow in his conversa- 
tion, more by manner than by words, the approach- 
ing downfall of the cause for which we were both 
struggling. I had come to him, I told him, to 
speak of what I had seen of the people, and of 
the army, in my transit across the country, and to 
say to him that unless prompt measures could be 
devised to put an end to the desertions that were 
going on among our troops, our cause must inev- 
itably be lost. He did not seem to be at all sur- 
prised at the revelations I made. He knew all 
about the condition of the country, civil and 
military, but seemed to feel himself powerless to 
prevent the downward tendency of things, and he 
was right. It was no longer in the power of any 
one man to save the country. The body politic 
was already dead. The people themselves had 
given up the contest, and this being the case, no 



238 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-EUNXER. 

army could do more than retard the catastrophe 
for a few months. Besides, his army itself was 
melting away. That very night, as I learned at 
the breakfast table, one hundred and sixty men 
deserted in a body. It was useless to attempt to 
shoot deserters when demoralization had gone to 
this extent." A few weeks subsequent to the 
date referred to in the above extract, General 
Johnston was ordered to "drive back Sherman." 
He states in his "Narrative" in reference to 
accepting the command : " This was done with a 
full consciousness on my part, however, that we 
could have no other object in continuing the war 
than to obtain fair terms of peace; for the 
Southern cause must have appeared hopeless then 
to all intelligent and dispassionate Southern men." 
We passed Abaco light soon after dark, and 
shaped our course direct for Charleston. At early 
dawn the next morning, while I was lying awake 
in my room on the bridge, I heard the officer of 
the deck give the quick sharp order to the helms- 
man " hard aqwrt ! " The steering wheel in all 
of the blockade-runners was upon the bridge and 
immediately forward of the captain's state-room, 
and the officer of the deck kept his watch upon 
the bridge. As I never undressed at night, while 



QUAETEKMA5TER MCLEAN. 231) 

at sea in command during the war, I was out 
upon the deck m a moment; and then I saw dis- 
tant two or tliree miles and directl}'' in our former 
course, a large side-wheel steamer. From her size 
and rig, I guessed her to be the " Yanderbilt ;" 
and I was afraid that the Chameleon had at last 
found more than her match, for the Vanderbilt 
enjoyed the reputaton of great speed. We wore 
round before we were discovered, but as the 
strange steamer's bow was pointed in our direc- 
tion a few moments afterwards, it was plain that 
we would have to make good use of our heels, 
and that the race would be a trying one. The 
Chameleon was in fine condition for the ordeal, 
and the usual precaution of cleaning fires, and 
i-aising the steam had been taken before daylight. 
My staunch old quartermaster, McLean, who 
had been with me in nearly all the chances and 
changes of blockade-running, always took his 
place at the wheel on trying occasions. lie had 
nerves of steel, and would have steered the vessel 
without flinching against a line of battle ship, 
if so ordered. Upon one occasion, after we had 
crossed the Western Bar, and were steaming at 
full speed along the coast, we suddenly discov- 
ered a long low blockader on our starboard bow, 



240 KAEKATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

and at the same instant, distinctly heard the 
order from the stranger's deck, to " pass along the 
shell ! '' I called out to my old helmsman, " Port 
and run her down ! " and if the strange vessel had 
not moved out of our way with alacrity, she would 
have been assuredly cut in two. We grazed her 
stern by a hair's breadth as we shot by her at the 
rate of thirteen knots. Before they had recavered 
from the confusion on board of her, we had passed 
into the darkness beyond, and the shell which they 
sent after us flew wide of its mark. 

McLean was now placed at the wheel. It 
was a close race for hours, neither apparently 
gaining or losing a foot ; but Providence again 
befriended us. As the day advanced, the breeze, 
which was very light from the northward at day- 
light, continued to freshen from that quarter. 
We soon set all of our canvas, and so did the 
chaser, but as the latter was square rigged, and we 
carried fore and aft sails, our sheets were hauled 
flat aft, and the Chameleon kept close to the wind 
by the steady old helmsman. I do not doubt that 
we would have been overhauled but for this favor- 
able contingency. Head to wind our pursuer 
would certainly have overtaken us, and ofl' the 
wind her chances would have been almost equally 



HEATED JOURNALS. 24rl 

good. Bat she began to drop gradually to lee- 
ward as the wind continued steady, and by two 
o'clock in the afternoon, she was five or six miles 
distant on our lee quarter. Although we had not 
increased the distance between us much, if any, 
since the commencement of the chase, we had 
weathered upon the chaser until her sails had 
become useless about twelve o'clock when she 
furled them. As the snow}'- cloud of canvas was 
rolled up like magic, and the tall tapering spars 
were seen in its place, I supposed the cruiser was 
about to retire from the contest; but she still fol- 
lowed with the tenacity of a bloodhound. But 
apparently to no purpose till about two o'clock, 
when the chief engineer, Mr. Schroeder, appeared 
on the bridge with the report that the journals 
were heated, and it was absolutely necessary to stop 
to ease the bearings! This was a predicament, 
indeed ; but when I looked down into the hold, and 
saw the clouds of vapor rising from the overheated 
journals, as a stream of water was being pumped 
upon them, I saw that Schroeder was right in the 
assertion, that unless the bearings were instantly 
eased, the machinery would give way. I had 
inplicit confidence in Schroeder, and it had been 
justl}' earned, for he had served long under my 
11 



242 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

command, and had always displayed, under trying 
circumstances, great coolness, presence of mind, 
and ability. He made every preparation for the 
work before him, taking off his own coat, and M-hen 
everything was in readiness, the order to stop the 
engines was given. In a few moments, we lay 
like a log upon the water, and the chaser was 
rapidly lessening the distance between us, and the 
suspense became almost intolerable. Our fate 
was hanging by a thread ; but in ten minutes the 
journals had been cooled off, the bearings eased, 
and the Chameleon again sprang ahead with 
renewed speed. The steamer in chase had ap- 
proached nearly within cannon shot — probably 
within long range — but in the course of the next 
hour, we had gained so rapidly in the race that 
the pursuit was abandoned as hopeless; and as 
the stranger wore around, to resume her station 
under easy steam, we followed in her wake till 
dark, when we evaded her without difficulty, and 
continued on our course toward Charleston. 

But another precious day had been lost, and 
subsequent unfavorable weather still further re- 
tarding our progress, we did not reach the coast 
near Charleston Bar till the fifth night after our 
departure from Nassau. The blockading fleet 



FROM CHAKLESTON TO NASSAU. 243 

had been reinforced by all the light cruisers from 
the approaches to the Cape Fear River; and as 
we drew in to the land, we were so frequently 
compelled to alter the course of the Chameleon, 
in order to evade the blockaders, that we did not 
reach the bar till long after midnight, and after 
the tide had commenced to fall. I was tempted 
to force the pilot to make the attempt, but finally 
yielded to his assurances that access was impossi- 
ble under the circumstances. As this was the 
last night during that moon, when the bar could 
be crossed during the dark hours, the course of 
the Chameleon was again, and for the last time, 
shaped for Nassau. As we turned away from 
the land, our hearts sank within us, while the 
conviction forced itself upon us, that the cause for 
which so much blood had been shed, so many 
miseries bravely endured, and so many sacrifices 
cheerfully made, was about to perish at last ! 



CHAPTER XV. 

Sad News via New York. — Consternation among Speculators 
in Nassau. — Departure from Nassau via Bermuda. — Ar- 
rival at Liverpool.— The End. 

A ERIVING at Nassau on the 8th, we found 
-^-^ many blocl^ade-runners in port, waiting for 
news from Charleston; and on the 10th, the Owl 
returned, after an unsuccessful attempt to enter 
Charleston, during which she received a shot 
through her bows ; and intelligence came also of 
the capture of the "Stag" and "Charlotte." On 
the 23d, the " Chicora," which had succeeded in 
getting into Charleston, arrived with the fatal 
news of its evacuation, and the progress of Gen- 
eral Sherman through Georgia and South Caro- 
lina. This sad intelligence put an end to all 
our hopes, and we were now cut off from all com- 
munication with the Confederate Government 
authorities. 

In this dilemma, Maffitt and I consulted with 
Mr. Hejliger, the Confederate agent at Nassau ; 
and it was decided that the Chameleon should be 



DEPARTURE FROM NASSAU. 245 

taken over to England. Whatever might be the 
course of events, our duty appeared to be to turn 
our vessels over, either to the agent of the Navy 
Department in Liverpool, or to the firm of Messrs. 
Fraser, Trenholm & Co. there. We learned after- 
wards, indeed, that Captain Pembroke Jones, of 
the Confederate IS^avy, was at that time on his way 
to us via Galveston or Mexico, with orders from 
the Nav}^ Department. All of us were directed to 
take in cargoes of provisions to a specified point 
on the Rappahannock River, under the protection 
of Confederate artillery to be stationed there in 
readiness. The steamers were to be burned after 
landing their cargoes, but Jones could not reach 
us in time. 

The bottom of the Chameleon being quite 
foul, divers were employed to scrub it preparatory 
to her long sea voyage. These people are 
wonderfully expert, remaining under the surface 
nearly two minutes ; and the water in tlie harbor 
of Nassau is so clear that they can be distinctly 
seen even at the keel of a vessel. Our cargo of 
provisions was landed, and an extra supply of coal 
taken on board. The vessel being under Confed- 
erate colors and liable to capture wherever found, 
except in neutral waters, it behooved us to be pre- 



2i6 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

pared at all times to show our heels to a stranger 
Some of our crew who wished their discharge, for 
the purpose of rejoining their families at the 
South, were paid off; the rest of them shipped 
for the voyage to Liverpool via Bermuda. We 
still lingered for later intelligence which was 
brought by the mail steamer Corsica from New 
York. Charleston was evacuated on the 17th of 
February, and Fort Anderson, the last of the 
defences at "Wilmington, fell on the 19th. Gen- 
eral Johnston had assumed command of the 
broken remnant of the army of the Tennessee in 
North Carolina, and subsequently offered some 
resistance to the hitherto unimpeded march of 
General Sherman ; but the latter was now about 
to effect a junction with General Schofield, who 
commanded a large force which had landed at 
Wilmington. It was too evident that the end was 
near. The speculators in Nassau saw tliat " the 
bottom had fallen out," and all of them were in 
the depths of despair. Some of them, it is true, 
had risen from the desperately hazardous game 
with large gains, but the majority had staked 
their all and lost it ; and even the fortunate ones 
had contracted a thirst for rash ventures, which 
eventually led to the pecuniary and social ruin of 



FROM BERMUDA. 247 

some of them. Even the negro stevedores and 
laborers bewailed our misfortunes, for they knew 
that the glory of Nassau had departed forever. 
My old friend Captain Dick Watkins probably 
more unselfishly regretted the disasters to our 
arms than the speculators or even the refugees 
in Nassau, who had succeeded in evading service 
in the army by skulking abroad. A recruiting 
officer might have " conscripted " nearly a brigade 
of the swaggering blusterers. Captain Dick and I 
parted with mutual regret ; and I sincerely hope, 
if Providence has been pleased to remove the old 
fellow's helpmeet to a better sphere, that he has 
found consolation in a virtuous union with one of 
those " mighty pretty yaller gals" he so much 
admired ; and that Napoleon Bonaparte may 
rise to the highest dignities in that particolored 
community of spongers and " wrackers." 

We sailed from Nassau on the 2 2d of March 
and arrived at St. George's, Bermuda on the 26th. 
The harbor was deserted, and the town, in its 
listless inactivity, presented a striking contrast 
with its late stir and bustle. " 'Twas Greece, but 
living Greece no more." After coaling, we took 
our departure for Liverpool on the 26th of March, 
and arrived there on the 9th of April. It was, 



248 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCK ADE-KUNNEK. 

Palm Sunday, and the chimes were ringing 
sweetly from the church bells, as we came to 
anchor. 

The contrast between this happy, peaceful, 
prosperous country and our own desolated, war- 
distracted land, struck a chill to our saddened 
hearts. The last act in the bloody drama was about 
to close on that very day at Appomattox Court 
House, and before that sun had set, the Confeder- 
ate Government had become a thing of the past. 
We, who were abroad, were not unprepared for 
the final catastrophe ; for we had learned on our 
arrival at Liverpool of General Early's defeat in 
the valley of the Shenandoah, and the accession to 
General Grant's already overwhelmingly large 
forces of General Sheridan's cavalry ; and of the 
junction of General Sherman with General Sclio- 
field. To oppose these mighty armies, there were 
33,000 half starved, ragged heroes in the trenches 
around Petersburg, and about 25,000 under 
General Johnston in North Carolina. 

This may not be a proper place to allude to 
the fearful penalties inflicted upon a people who 
fought and suffered for what they deemed a hoi;- 
cause. But it should be proclaimed, in tht 
interest of truth and justice, that the South since 



DISPOSING OF THE EFFECTS. 249 

tlie close of the war, has been preyed upon by 
unprincipled adventurers and renegades who are 
determined to rule or ruin. But a brighter day 
will come. Calumny and injustice cannot triumph 
forever. That distinguished officer Colonel C. C. 
Chesney of the British army in a volume of 
Military Biography " lately published by him, in 
allusion to General Lee, writes thus: "But 
though America has learned to pardon, she has 
yet to attain the full reconciliation for which the 
dead hero would have sacrificed a hundred lives. 
Time can only bring this to a land, which in her 
agony, bled at every pore. Time, the healer of 
all wounds will bring it yet. The day will come, 
when the evil passions of the great civil strife 
will sleep in oblivion, and North and South do 
justice to each other's motives, and forget each 
other's wrongs. Then History will speak with 
clear voice of the deeds done on either side, and 
the citizens of the whole Union do justice to the 
memories of the dead." Surely all honest men 
and true patriots will rejoice to see that da}'. 

The firm of Fraser, Trenholm & Co. was rep- 
resented in Liverpool by a Mr. Prioleau who was 
by no means anxious for the consignment of the 
Chameleon in ballast ; with a cargo on board the 
11* 



250 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

case would have been difFei'ent. He evidently 
considered her a very big and unsalable elephant, 
and repudiated the part of showman. The vessel 
was therefore turned over to Captain Bullock, who 
acted with his usual tact and discretion in the 
subsequent transactions connected with lier. 
There was a sharp struggle between rival claim- 
ants for the possession of the ship, but the 
Gordian knot was cut by the British Government 
which placed the " broad arrow " upon her. The 
public funds were also transferred to Captain 
Bullock and his receipt taken for them. Here I 
beg leave to affirm that I neither appropriated nor 
desired to appropriate any of the spoils of the 
perishing ship of state." But as memory recalls 

* The proofs, which I hold in my possession, of this 
affirmation can have no interest for the general reader. 
Shortly after the close of the war, I learned through a 
friend in Washington that I was charged with appropriating 
many thousands of dollars belonging to the late Confeder- 
ate Government. Although I was then living in Halifax, 
Nova Scotia, and beyond the jurisdiction of the United 
States Government, I forwarded to the Hon. Secretary of 
the United States Navy, copies of the receipts taken by me 
from Captain Bullock, in Liverpool, for all Confederate 
property in my possession. I may be permitted indeed, to 
claim eminent disinterestedness, for I might have accumu- 
lated a fortune ; and at the end, my faithful and efficient pay- 
master, E. Courtenay Jenkins, a gentleman of the purest 
integrity, made the transfer by my direction ; both of ua 



CLOSING THE ACCOUNT. 251 

the many opportunities placed in my way of mak- 
ing a fortune during the war, without detriment 
to the cause, and consistent with every obligation 
due to the Confederate Government, there are 
times when I cannot decide whether 1 acted the 
part of a fool, or that of a patriot. We are told 
that when Lord Clive was arraigned before the 
British Parliament for profiting by his high posi- 
tion in Tndia to enrich himself, he exclaimed at 
the close of his defence against the charge, " By 
G — d, Mr. Chairman, at this moment 1 stand 
astonished at my own moderation ! " His idea of 
"moderation" was £300,000. A "dead broke" 
Confederate would have considered himself for- 
tunate to possess 300,000 oents! Some of the 
crew of the Chameleon, who had served for years 
in the Confederate Navy, brought a claim against 
me for pay due them while in the public service, 
and it was with some difficulty that their counsel, 
a pettifogging lawyer, could be induced to consent 
to arbitration ; but the matter was finally settled 
through Bullock's agency, although it appeared 
probable at one time that I would be obliged to 
take a hasty departure from England. 

washing our hands of the " filthy lucre," and retaining a 
clear conscience. 



^^*^ 



262 NARRATIVE OF A BLOCKADE-RUNNER. 

The end was close at hand. News of the 
capture of Richmond arrived on the 15th, and a 
few days afterM'ards, intelligence of the surrender 
of General Lee's army. The Chameleon was soon 
afterwards given up to the United States Govern- 
ment which claimed the assets, but repudiated 
the liabilities of the Confederate Government. 
Her officers and crew were turned adrift with '' the 
wide world before them where to choose.'" 



THK END. 



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